Monday, February 23, 2009
National Nurses Week Theme Set

The American Nurses Association (ANA) has announced the theme of National Nurses Week 2009, "Nurses: Building a Healthy America." National Nurses Week is celebrated annually from May 6, also known as National Nurses Day, through May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing.

"This year's theme reflects the commitment nurses make every day in building a healthy America for the public we serve," said ANA President Rebecca M. Patton, MSN, RN, CNOR. "ANA has long advocated for meaningful health system reform and in 2008 re-released ANA's Health System Reform Agenda, an ANA blueprint for reform that focuses on the basic "core" of essential health care services, which is essential in building a healthy America for everyone."

Suggestions on How to Celebrate National Nurses Week

* Hold a special celebration or reception to recognize a nurse or several nurses in your community. These nurses could be honored for heroic acts, years of service to the community, exemplary courage, or their commitment to the nursing profession over the years.

* Promote a positive, realistic image of registered nurses by sponsoring health fairs, conducting preventive screenings in underserved areas, organizing a walk-a-thon, etc.

* Place an article in your state or local newspaper(s) about National Nurses Week and the value of nurses.

* Invite a politician -- local, state or federal -- to accompany a nurse or several nurses at their place of employment for a day or part of a day. Health care remains an issue of tremendous importance to voters. Politicians should be visible and accountable for their positions on health care. This is a win-win situation and it offers good media coverage potential.

* Ask every nurse in America to wear an "RN Pin" and/or nurse's uniform during National Nurses Week. The official "RN Pin" is available by calling 1-800-445-0445 (credit card orders only).

* Sponsor a community-wide event, such as a coloring contest or poem-writing contest for school children. The children could acknowledge their favorite nurse, a famous nurse, or family member who is a nurse - past or present - in a colorful drawing. The drawings could be displayed in local schools, hospitals, nursing homes, etc.

* Purchase promotional items for National Nurses Week (i.e., RN Pins, key rings, t-shirts, mugs, buttons, etc.). Catalog

National Nurses Week begins each year on May 6th and ends on May 12th, Florence Nightingale's birthday. These permanent dates enhance planning and position National Nurses Week as an established recognition event. As of 1998, May 8 was designated as National Student Nurses Day, to be celebrated annually. And as of 2003, National School Nurse Day is celebrated on the Wednesday within National Nurses Week (May 6-12) each year.

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