National Nurses Day
Today is the start of National Nurses Week, which culminates on Florence Nightingale’s birthday, May 12th.
“The Lady with the Lamp” is the founder of modern nursing. At the end of the 19th Century, during the Crimean War, Ms. Nightingale instituted strict hygiene practices and hand-washing. These routines slashed the death rate from 42% to 2% due to a significant decrease in infections.
The Bellevue Hospital School of Nursing, established in 1873 in NY, was the first Nursing School based on Nightingale’s hygiene principles.
Nearly one hundred years later, in 1982, National Nurses Day was recognized and celebrated.
Nurses comprise the largest percentage of healthcare workers, with over 3 million in the US today. The work is challenging and physically strenuous. They walk ~ 5 kilometers per shift. In addition, they are at higher risk of an on-the-job back injury than construction workers.
Where do these millions of caregivers practice? You may be surprised to learn that over 50% of nurses work outside the hospital setting, for example, home care, doctor’s offices, and nursing homes. Others participate in research and educational fields. Some nurses pursue advanced learning and become nurse practitioners.
As a former nurse, now retired Trauma Surgeon/ICU Physician, and patient, I can appreciate the role of the nurse from many perspectives. Are there one or more nurses who have had an impact on you or your family?
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