May 6, 2024
National Nurses Week is celebrated annually between May 6, National Nurses Day, and May 12, the birthday of celebrated nurse Florence Nightingale. The 2024 theme of National Nurses Week is “Nurses Make the Difference”, highlighting the dedication of nurses, their contributions, sacrifices, and dedication to their profession and to their patients. This week also serves as a reminder to thank the medical professionals who keep individuals and communities healthy.
Our nurses at El Paso County Public Health
At El Paso County Public Health (EPCPH), our team of nurses plays a vital role in protecting the health of our local communities. EPCPH nurses serve individuals and families across numerous programs and services including Nurse-Family Partnership, Immunizations and Travel, Tuberculosis, Disease Prevention, Reproductive Health, Maternal and Child Health, and much more.
In 2023, EPCPH nurses provided many critical services, including but not limited to: 11,329 immunizations, 1,981 reproductive health visits, 2,685 Nurse-Family Partnership home visits, and care for 43 active and latent tuberculosis cases.
Ways to Celebrate National Nurses Week:
For Nurses:
- Prioritize your self-care by engaging in healthy activities that target both your body and mind.
- Do a self-care assessment. What activities are you doing to benefit your health and reduce your stress? Plan a course of action by using the free apps and resources offered through the American Nurses Foundation’s Well-Being Initiative.
- Consider joining Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation™, a program designed to help you improve your health in six areas: physical activity, nutrition, rest, quality of life, safety, and mental health.
- Take the American Nurses Foundation’s Stress & Burnout Prevention Program stress self-assessment to measure your stress level and receive free access to customizable tools to help you.
- Expand your communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills by participating in free professional webinars offered from the Navigate Nursing series through American Nurses Association.
- Consider certifications to advance your career through the ANCC Certification Program.
For Everyone:
During Nurses Week, APPRECIATE, RECOGNIZE, and THANK them! You can celebrate by participating in events, expressing gratitude to nurses, donating to the Thank a Nurse fund, and supporting initiatives that honor their devotion.
- Share the tribute, a special thank you, or a photo of your favorite nurse(s) on social media using the hashtags #ANANursesWeek, #NursesMakeTheDifference, and #ThankANurse.
- Write a letter to express your gratitude to a nurse in your life.
- Consider a (virtual) fundraiser for the community, a blood drive, or online workshops aimed at reducing stress and building morale.
- Partner with other nursing and health care organizations in your area to sponsor a joint Nurses Week event.
- Donate to the American Nurses Foundation to show your support.
For more information about National Nurses Week and celebrating America’s more than five million registered nurses, visit the American Nurses Association.