CELEBRATE!

Our facility is doing different recognition activities each day this week, including:

Video presentations each day of different aspects of nursing for the public.
"Nurse of the Quarter" presentation for each nursing area this week.
Crafts/hobby displays from various nurses.
Lunch/dinner served by nursing management to all nurses working on Nurses' Day.
Buffet breakfast for all nurses on Friday.
Guest nursing theorist to speak, free to staff.
Letter to the editor in our local paper thanking all nurses as "the true spirit of caring."

Nurses who attend will be treated to a free lunch or dessert buffet and will be given a gift with the National Nurse Week logo.

Marriott Brighton Gardens at Edison is an Assisted Living and Nursing Facility.

We are having a silent auction to raise money for nursing scholarships. At 7pm we are having "An evening with Florence...would she recognize nursing today?" One of our retired nurses, Carolyn Vallone will be playing Florence.

We will have a panel of 8 experts sharing with Florence. What is going on in nursing, nursing knowledge, nursing technology, independent practice [ARNP], military nursing, men in nursing, nurse attorney, nursing shortage and political [influence] nurses. All of these area will be highlighted as we go into the 21st century and this should be an outstanding program , we will end the program by awarding 3 nurses awards for achievement chosen from their peers.

At Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle, WA, nurses were invited to "share their stories" about caring for patients. All nurses have stories about patients and families they have cared for - wonderful stories that remind us why we became nurses, and why we stay in Nursing. Nursing Affairs Council, one of our Shared Governance councils, assembled, edited and named the book. Called Rewards of a Caring Profession: The Nurses' Perspective, the book was distributed to the almost 1000 nurses at Virginia Mason for National Nurses' Week. We are having receptions and "book signings" this week.

The Ohio Nurses Assoication at the Cincinnati VA will celebrate Nurses Day on May 9, 2001 with a luncheon and invitations to all RN's at our facility, top management, media and members of our local Partnership Care Lines. We plan to recognize nurses:

1. Needle Stick ID Badge designed relevant to VA.

2. A nurse took leadership for writing a Nurses Rights policy to increase awareness and employer accountabiltiy.

3. Two nurses have worked to develop incentives for "being floated."

There is a march on the State Capital the same day as our event. This rally will focus on mandatory overtime and staffing levels. We have invited the media to our hospital in support of the event. We have a Nurse, Barbara Rounds who was inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame 2000 who will speak about "Decisions! Decisions! Decisions!."

"We believe life to be a grindstone. It either polishes you up or grinds you down. Depends on what you are made of."

5/8/01

Community leaders and elected officials are invited to "Walk a Mile With a Nurse" to learn that profession's joys and difficulties at St. Peter's Hospital on Thursday, May 10 during national Nursing Recognition Week.

Participants will accompany a nurse on rounds on selected floors for about two hours. The visit concludes with brunch and a discussion of what was learned.

Other events during national Nursing Recognition Week May 6-12 include:

Gala luncheon and dinner for nurses at the Albany Marriott; Nurse of Excellence Award presented.

White Mass at noon; High tea using the former St. Peter's Hospital School of Nursing silver tea set - organized by School of Nursing grads; Cardiac Teaching Day open to any nurses from the Capital Region.

5/8/01

Editor's Note: Some of the following was Edited to Protect the Honest

It's been interesting to see the different events happening around the world in celebration of nurses. I especially like the media events, local billboards, rallies, and recognition awards for nurses. However, what was that bit about the hospital in Cambridge, NY where the nurses will "celebrate" themselves by doing free landscaping work for their facility because it "has no money"???? That one left me speechless. How much would it have cost to do any of the things in the ANA media kit to recognize those nurses?? geez!

I have been talking to nurses who are not ANA members & there is much more disrespect out there than just this. I am appalled at what some facilities have done to Nurses Week and the whole concept for which it was created. Heres a sample of what I have been reading....

Julie Semente, RN

NYC....
Subject: Re: Nurses Week
Date: 05/04/2001
From: XXX

Hey, is it National Hospital Week this coming week too??? I'm puzzled. Our hosp. newsletter came out today with the headline "We're celebrating National Hospital Week!" May 6-12 and the "Luau" is for the whole hosp. On the last page, 3rd to last sentence it said, "This is National Nurses Week" and "Nursing is a profession that if you don't improve, you go backwards." HUH??? What is that supposed to mean??? Now Im really [Censored]!!

Subject: Nurses Week
Date: 05/02/2001
From: YYY

HI , My hospital is celebrating national Nurses Week by giving us Ice Cream, Cookies and Brownnies [sic] and, if our Poster wins, a free Catered Lunch. Why does administration feel we should be treated like children? and given sweets and not the proper salary we deserve?? The above sweets don't pay bills or help a family in any way.

Subject: Re: Nurses Week
Date: 05/02/2001
From: ZZZ

We aren't even having a nurses day, we're having a patient services day!! woo hoo!! i'm so thrilled..(NOT!)..the upper muckety mucks fixing me an omelet to my taste is really going to feed me and my family.....or the afternoon ice cream social...

Subject: Re: Nurses Week
Date: 05/02/2001
From: ???

Let's see. They had activities every day this week. One day they had beauty consults. (how insulting!)... Then, they had a special lunch time set aside where each floor could bring their own home made stuff!! Whippee!!! They also sold uniforms in the cafeteria and they'd payroll deduct!!

Subject: Re: Nurses Week
Date: 05/02/2001
From:

I am a little irritated (PO'd) at our hospital. Here, there is no nurses week. Its been changed to Hospital Week May 6-12 & this yr and they are having a "Beach party" (no beach). But it is for the entire hospital and the thing is, there won't be many nurses there, because they have to WORK. It will be mostly med. Records, business office, admissions, etc., there. It's like they aren't honoring the nurses, just having another excuse for the rest of the folks to party. Maybe they will bring us the left overs when they are done. :::::too [censored] to pout::::

Subject: Re: Nurses Week
Date:
From:

I received a card in the mail today from the hospital Chief Nurse Executive. The front read "Nurses are the True Spirit of Caring". The inside read "Nursing...a career not measured in years but in moments".......

What would this mean to you if you received it? It didn't say...hey, you're a great nurse and I appreciate all your hard work...or....without you, there would be no moments to measure...or...thanks for a job well done....You get my drift. Half of the card is taken up with this executives title. Like I really wanted a card with her title listed on it. Sorry, just venting here.

Subject: Re: National Nurses Week May 6th.....
Date: 04/27/2001 6:27 PM
From:

Guess what---at my hospital too, they don't have nurse's week..they call it hospital week!!! I think that this is one of the things that [censored] me off the most. Dietary, Social Work, Pharmacy all have their own "week" but not nurses. During hospital week, EVERYONE that works there, gets an umbrella, t-shirt, last year we got lunch bags with company logo. So if you get ANYTHING special for recognition on "Nurse's Week", consider yourselves lucky.

Subject: Re: Nurses Week Activities
Date: 05/04/2001 7:27 AM
From:

As is becoming the norm, I fear, the hospital I am employed by (or at least my unit) has opted to use the week after nurses week to recognize all the associates. Each discipline that works the unit will have its' own day. Each day something special will be done for everyone: Mon. Good Humor ice cream from 2-4. (save some for the night shift!)
Tues. 0630 breakfast of doughnuts and fruit. Give out survival kits to everyone.
Wed. Nutty Buddy Candy Bars (never interview a hostile patient alone. Always take a buddy).
Thurs. To Be Announced (meaning we don't know)
Fri.12-2 lunch. Awarding the certificates for Best.. or Most... (OCD, humor, team player, penny-pinching etc), Prize for matching the staff baby pictures with the correct staff member. All week we will be doing a secret pal. But oh, I can certainly understand why we are not doing too much for Nurses Week though. HFCA, and the state chose that week to do a week long inspection! Talk about showing respect........ yeah, right.

5/8/01

At St Elizabeth Medical Center in Northern Kentucky, we are:

Running an ad in the local papers to salute our nursing staff -- it is a bouquet of red roses with an attached card saying "To each of the more than 1500 nurses who care for the thousands of patients who come to St Elizabeth for your care each year" and at the bottom of the ad it states "Your dedication to your patients and your profession is beyond compare. Your expertise and caring make a difference in so many lives". A free meal is being served by administration to staff, including nurses, during national hospital week.

Our skilled nursing facility is having a "blessing of the nurses" ceremony and a day of pampering plus activities related to answering questions related to the history of nursing, and two or three sessions of "pampering" of staff.

Our nursing management team is being served lunch by the VP of Nursing and her Nursing Directors.

A gift is being given to all staff (they don't know what it is yet, so I can't say at this time).

A nursing newsletter is being distributed that highlights the activities of nurses at our organization.

Individual nurse managers are doing something on their particular units to recognize staff.

The COO and myself, the CNO are making rounds together to recognize and thank staff.

A display (a duplicate of our newpaper ad) is strategically placed in each lobby of our three hospitals.

Treats are being distributed at random.

5/8/01
Durham Veterans Administration Medical Center is celebrating all week long. The Recruitment and Retention Committee (Nursing Staff) have been busy making all the arrangements!

Poster presentations by RNs are displayed throughout the hospital. Units competed in a poster contest on the ANA theme-Nurses are the True Spirit of Caring. "Excellence in Nursing" Awards Ceremony and Reception, recognizing RNs, LPNs, and NAs who have been nominated by their peers. Nursing Administration will visit at night and distribute coffee cups to all staff. Staff are planning a "middle-of-the-night" buffet for those who keep the spirit going while the rest of us sleep! Massages will be offered by a Body Therapy Institute. "Creating The Spirit," educational offering by UNC-CH faculty will be presented over box lunches.

5/8/01
...we are making Medication Identification cards for our Seniors and in our lobby...we are gonna have information on how important it is to keep your list of meds with you, with correct dosages and times.

5/7/01
All week we are having daily goodies at all different times of the day to accommodate all shifts so all nurses can participate. We have great raffles and giveaways. A nursing conference is sponsored that week at the beautiful Gross Pointe War Memorial. Our "Draw a Nurse" campaign is always a success (our pts. draw pictures of the nurses and we decorate the lobby), all the nurses will be receiving a special gift from Children's Hospital and the Detroit Medical Center.

5/4/01
Here at Shands, Jacksonville, we have a week full of events to celebrate nursing. We are starting the week with a Kick-Off breakfast for all nursing staff. In keeping with the kick off theme, we will be giving away signed footballs from the Jacksonville Jaguars, University of Florida and Florida State University. The prizes will be drawn by a local media celebrity who will also assist with serving breakfast on Monday morning.

Tuesday will feature a staff excellence award reception.

Wednesday will feature a staff talent [contest] filled with talent by our own nursing staff.

Thursday's events include a nursing pride day where all nurses and nursing leaders will wear white along with nursing school caps and pins for decor and an ice cream trolley manned by nursing leadership and senior administrators delivering ice cream to nursing units on all shifts.

Friday will end with prize drawings and giveaways. Throughout the week we have billboards throughout the city to salute all nurses in the city during nurses week.

5/4/01
At Memorial Hospital of Iowa Co., Inc., in Dodgeville, Wisconsin, we'll have 3 major events for nurses week:

1. A nursing recognition and celebration ceremony and social. Allison Philipps, an RN in our ICU, will receive the Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative Nurse Excellence Award for 2001. We'll also be presenting certificates of excellence and/or appreciation to about 120 other nursing staff.

2. The nursing directors will be cooking breakfast for the night shift.

3. Tami Rule, RN, is again spearheading the MHIC Annual Nurses Fun Run and Walk.

5/3/01
In the Air Force, Nurses Week is an occasion to recognize the significant contributions not only of nurses, but also of medical technicians, who contribute to nursing care.

To honor these outstanding nurses and medical technicians, complimentary culinary delights will be served during May 7 -11. There will be bagels/muffins and yogurt/fruits on Monday; pizza on Tuesday; ice cream on Wednesday; cake/punch on Thursday; and a cookout on Friday. In addition, an essay contest on "What It Means To Be A Nurse/Medical Technician" was held to further honor the nurses/medical technicians' contributions to the medical center and Air Force Nursing.

5/2/01

April 23, 2001 - Proclamation Signed by the Governor of Guam - May is proclaimed as the Nurses' Month for Guam nurses.

May 5 2001 - Nursing Conference at Ramu Ballroom, Onward Beach Resort.

May 6, 2001 - Sunday, National Nurses' Day. Eucharistic celebration (mass) at St, Anthony Church, Tamuning.

May 12, 2001 - Saturday, Holistic Health Fair. Micronesia Mall, Harmon.

May 26, 2001 - Saturday, 5K Fun Run/Walk. Tiyan Police Department Parking Lot.

May 27, 2001 - Sunday. Recognition and Award Banquet. Presentation of the Nurse of the Year. Presentation of Legislative Resolution. Chamorro Ballroom, Marriott Hotel.

Throughout the month of May - Career Days at different schools. Essay Contest- 6th grade up to post secondary level. Poster Contest - Grades 1-5. $50.00 prize for the first place for each category. Certificates to be awarded to other participants.

5/2/01
We have the following activities for the whole week: Role Play on DOs and DON'Ts for nurses (competition per department), Cultural Night in a hotel (dinner, songs and dances of different nationalities), games competition (volleyball, chess, billiard, swimming, tug of war), barbecue night, Nursing Quiz bowl competition per department (gen. nursing, infection control and basic Arabic language), Poetry Competition and Questionnaire (handwashing and hand disinfection).

These competitions and other activities keep us in high spirits and give us respite from stress from our hospital work.

5/1/01
During this week, registered nurses at Citrus Valley Health Partners will be honored with the following activities: a Nurse History Display, Ice-cream Social, Nurse Creative Arts Exhibits, Nurse Day Tea and Nurse Traditional Uniform Day.These events will be held at the Citrus Valley Medical Center's Queen of the Valley Campus and Inter-Community Campus.

4/30/01
We are a small rural health care facility that is going through some serious financial stress. There is not a lot of money to buy "extras" however, our entire staff, including the nursing staff is very proud of our hospital and try hard to provide the best possible care. Our physicians have donated some funds that will be used to purchase mementoes for the nurses and the assistants (we'll celebrate now rather than in June).

The senior nurses will be buying ice cream and toppings and will go door-to-door throughout all of the sections of McClellan Health System providing a nice ice cream snack to celebrate nursing.

Finally, each member of our nursing staff will bring in some perennial plants and plant them on our campus. That way they can celebrate nurses' week, beautify our grounds after a harsh Winter when there are not funds available to purchase plants, and demonstrate their pride in this historic organization (founded 1917.)