In 1982, President Reagan signed a proclamation naming May 6th as National Recognition Day for Nurses.  Furthermore, in 1990 it was declared that nurse recognition would be expanded to a week-long celebration from May 6 to May 12 each year. Why is May 6th significant? May 6th is the birthday of the founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale.

This year’s theme for National Nurses Week is “2020: A Year of Recognition”. In honor of Florence Nightingale’s 200th birthday, nurses will be honored and celebrated all year long.

According to the 2020 Gallup Poll for most trusted professions, nurses ranked #1 for trust and ethics and have had that honor for 18 years running.

Nurses, as a group, form one of the most importantconstituencies of healthcare professionals in the world and in many ways,constitute the collective face of healthcare. Through the tired less efforts ofdelivering compassionate care, patients’ mindsets are directly influenced bythe nurse-patient relationship.

Nursing is both an art and a science, a heart and a mind.  Nurses have a passion to help others, this they have in common, yet due to the vast range of specialism and complex skills in the nursing profession, each of them has specific strengths, passions and expertise. This holds true for our nurses at Montereau who have chosen to work with the aging population. And during this time of crises in our world related to COVID-19, Montereau nurses have risen to their calling demonstrating amazing dedication to caring for our residents.

I cannot say enough to the nurses how much you are appreciated and valued everyday.  Each of you do an amazing job delivering outstanding, compassionate care to the residents who have chosen to make Montereau their home.

Please join me this week, month and year in celebrating our amazing Montereau nurses. 

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With much gratitude,

Dana Hammer RN, Director of Nursing

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