Throughout the hallways of the facilities at Northern Arizona Healthcare, you will see nurses working hard, giving patients – our friends, family and neighbors – compassionate care in their time of need. Nurses are one of the most integral members of the staff and serve as the backbone of our hospital. We are proud to celebrate the dedication and commitment of our nurses during this year’s National Nurses Week, May 6-12.
The history of National Nurses week dates back to the 1950s when the first effort to designate a recognition day for nurses began. But it wasn’t until 1974 that the first National Nurses Week was celebrated. In 1982, a joint congressional resolution designated May 6 as “National Recognition Day for Nurses” and in 1991, the celebration was expanded to National Nurses Week, May 6-12, to accommodate the varied schedules of America’s nurses.
This year, Northern Arizona Healthcare is celebrating National Nurses week by recognizing the nurses of today, as well as remembering those of yesterday. Today, NAH employs more than 1,000 nurses across all of our locations. However, our core values remain the same. Values that NAH nurses continually integrate in their day-to-day, patient care. The values include:
- Do amazing work!
- Respect differences
- Build community
- Show compassion
- Be better together
These core components have ensured we’re providing patients with exceptional care close to home.
These values have been on full display throughout the pandemic by nurses who have been on the frontline of caring for patients. Their compassion and perseverance ensure that all patients continue to receive the highest quality of care.
Alongside our physicians and colleagues, nurses at NAH put their lives on the line to care for those who need it most. They come to work each day with a sense of commitment and duty, knowing the risks and putting others’ health ahead of their own. Each nurse chose the nursing profession for their own reasons, but it’s clear they’re all passionate about their work.
The tireless efforts exhibited by these nursing professionals will not be forgotten, even long after the dangers of the pandemic have passed. For more than 50 years our nurses have provided outstanding care to the residents of northern Arizona, and we look forward to celebrating these hardworking nurses for the next 50 years.