Whether caring for patients, conducting research, developing programs or promoting advanced education, nurses have an enormous impact on activities, initiatives and everyday life at the Jewish General Hospital (JGH). During National Nursing Week (May 12-18) the JGH is honouring not only the contributions of nurses across the country, but its very own 1,600 nurses whose collaborative efforts and willingness to outperform expectations define the essence of nursing.
This year’s National Nursing Week theme, “Nursing: A Leading Force for Change”, is an opportunity to reflect on the contributions that nurses make each day. At the JGH, nurses are active partners in health care, as they provide comfort, reduce stress and relieve the suffering of patients. A significant number of JGH nurses are also involved in research, as well as publicizing the results of major studies that are directed toward the advancement of nursing practice.
“Every single day, nurses apply their extensive knowledge, experience and skills to assuring the well-being of our patients,” says Johanne Boileau, JGH Director of Nursing. “Through their hard work and dedication, our nurses constantly work toward providing all those we care for with an exceptional patient experience, and we could not be more appreciative for their ongoing support.”
“Nurses play a pivotal role in the JGH’s pursuit of the exceptional patient experience,” says Dr. Lawrence Rosenberg, JGH Executive Director. “The professional expertise of nurses enables us to fulfill our patients’ physical needs, while their compassionate care provides patients with the emotional and psychological support that is crucial in the healing process. The physician-nurse partnership, long a staple of care at the JGH, is a further means of ensuring that our patients’ treatment is based on the essential of input of nurses, as well as other members of the multi-disciplinary healthcare team.”
Over the course of the week, nurses at the JGH will be treated to a barbecue lunch, a breakfast for night-shift staff, and even a fashion show where nurses will walk the runway. A presentation of posters will also demonstrate ongoing projects and initiatives conducted by nurses throughout the hospital. In addition, toward the end of the week, the Department of Nursing will take to the wards for a tour of the units, so that nurses on the floors can meet and speak directly with several key leaders.
In 1971, the International Council of Nurses designated May 12, Florence Nightingale’s birthday, International Nurses Day. In 1985, in recognition of the dedication and achievements of the nursing profession, the federal minister of health proclaimed the second week of May—which includes May 12—as National Nurses Week. Its purpose is to increase awareness among the public, policy-makers and governments of the many contributions nursing makes to the well-being of Canadians. It provides an opportunity to educate Canadians about health issues, to disseminate the information they need to make decisions about their health, and to promote the role of the nurse.
May 13, 2014