Nurses recognized during National Nursing Week

By Courtney Bachar/The Oshawa Express/LJI Reporter

Nurses all across the country are being recognized this week as part of National Nursing Week.

Speaking with The Oshawa Express, Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter says he is grateful for the service nurses provide each and every day, noting their incredible dedication in regards to the “most difficult, historical moment in the history of our country that they continue to not only meet the challenge, but surpass the challenge in a professional and extraordinary way.”

He says his mother was a nurse in the Second World War and he has a great deal of respect for nurses.

“The work they do is difficult at the best of times, and especially during this period of time, it’s more complex, but they continue to rise to the challenge.”

Durham Regional Chair John Henry echoes the mayor’s remarks noting the important role nurses place in the healthcare industry.

“Nurse practitioners, registered nurses and registered practical nurses provide integral service to our community each and every day. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have relied on our nurses more than ever before,” says Henry. “Our community extends our sincere gratitude to all our nurses working in public health and our community including long-term care homes. Your commitment and dedication to your profession and our community has been truly outstanding.”

Henry says he recognizes the hard work and dedication of nurses and encourages them to remember to take care of themselves as well as others.

“I encourage everyone in this profession to check in on one another. Make sure you are also caring for yourselves during this time. Thank you for your outstanding commitment to helping our community,” adds Henry.

Lakeridge Health Interim President and CEO Susan deRyk and Lakeridge Health Chief of Staff Dr. Tony Stone issued a statement recognizing the work the more than 2,500 nurses at Lakeridge Health do each and every day.

“We would like to say a heartfelt thank you to the more than 2,500 nurses at Lakeridge Health who deliver safe, quality care and support our health system to improve through better and more effective team-based approaches to serve people within our community,” the statement reads.

National Nursing Week runs from May 11 to 17. The theme this year is Nurses: A Voice to Lead – Nursing the World to Health, and always occurs from the Monday to the Sunday of Florence Nightingale’s birthday, May 12.

According to the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA), the week draws attention to nurses, increasing the awareness of the public, policy-makers and governments of the many contributions of nursing to the well-being of Canadians.

For more information on National Nursing Week, visit www.cna-aiic.ca.

*With files from Chris Jones