More than ever, this is a time to recognize and honor the nurses of the world. Not only does National Nurses Week begin Wednesday, but in recognition of the bicentenary of the birth of Florence Nightingale, the entire year has been designated as the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife.
Her memory is being honored in a way that would make Florence Nightingale incredibly proud of the profession she founded. All across the world, and especially here in the US, nurses have responded to the call, working tirelessly, often without a break, to care for those sickened by the coronavirus.
When New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and other leaders called for help, tens of thousands of retired and administrative and medical office nurses came forward. Many are providing direct patient care. Others are filling support jobs. All are on the frontline in this pandemic.
Two hundred years ago, Nightingale was also on the frontline of battle. Born May 12, 1820 to wealth, she left a comfortable home and comfortable life in Britain to care for soldiers in the far off Crimea, making rounds so often at night with only a candle she came to be known as the “Lady with the lamp.”
Today’s nurses are practicing Nightingale’s caring and compassion in the face of the worst health crisis in a century and demonstrating to the world what it means to be a nurse.
To all the nurses, we at Green Key Resources say, Thank You for your service.
Photo by Museums Victoria on Unsplash
