Nurses Make a Difference Every Day! National Nurses Week, May 6 - May 12, 2008

The American Nurses Association observes National Nurses Week this week. Nurses are college educated and trained professionals serving the community in a myriad of ways. Nursing is a science but also the art of caring for people. There are 2.4 million actively employed nurses in the USA. Nursing is a profession with the top projected job growth through 2012. By the end of this decade, we could be facing a shortage of over a million nurses.

One thing that is a big concern right now is how medical centers may be under staffing with nurses to hold costs down. Adequate nursing staffing not only saves lives but does actually save money. People suffer and die when nursing care is inadequate. With the increased complexity of medical care, more nurses are needed to deliver that care safely, and prevent deaths and complications from medical errors.

ANA'S Definition of Nursing

Nursing is the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, communities, and populations.

(Nursing's Social Policy Statement, Second Edition, 2003, p. 6 & Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice, 2004, p. 7)

Nursing schools have had to turn away applicants. If you are considering nursing as a profession - get your application in early and start taking the required courses. Many schools offer fast tracks for people who have degrees and experience in other profession. As for myself, nursing has been a great career choice, providing me with an abundance of opportunity, variety and flexibility for traveling and raising a family. I have never wanted for work in my adult life, and have been blessed with work that is interesting, challenging, and hopefully I have made the lives of others a little better along the way.

Thank you John Gevers for use of photo.