Every year, from May 6th through May 12th we celebrate National Nurses Week. This annual celebration recognizes the dedication of America’s nurses and honors them for taking care of us in our most vulnerable moments.
The History of Nurses Week
National Nurses Week was first celebrated in 1954 to mark Florence Nightingale’s 100th birthday. Florence Nightingale (1820 -1910) was a British nurse, statistician and reformer known as the founder of modern nursing. Renowned for her work in hospitals during the Crimean War, Nightingale was able to significantly reduce deaths from inadequate supplies, unhealthy food and unsanitary living conditions. Later on in life she established the Nightingale Training School at St. Thomas’ Hospital and continued to advocate for safe healthcare conditions.
Today, Nurses Week allows us to recognize the contributions of the nurses in our lives. With several observances throughout the week including National Nurses Day on May 6th, National Student Nurse Day on May 8th and National School Nurse Day on May 10th, we have plenty of opportunities to recognize nurses of all kinds.
Recognizing Maxim nurses: Michael’s story
Retired deputy sheriff, Desert Storm veteran and former high school football coach Michael Savage is living a full life despite his ALS diagnosis. Although Michael is paralyzed, he speaks using a device that tracks his eye movements. He receives skilled, private duty nursing care on a daily basis and his care team consists of two daytime nurses and one night nurse.
The support from Maxim’s nurses ensures that Michael is able to stay connected with his family and community. He and his fiancée Penny Fields are able to go on date nights, to church and participate in other activities. Penny commented, “I’m always reminded that we are challenged, but we are not defeated; and thanks to Maxim Healthcare, we live that every day.”
Amy Yingling, RN, the Clinical Supervisor who manages Michael’s case, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the nurses that provide care to Maxim’s patients, “I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything that you do for our patients. Without you, we wouldn’t be able to keep them home or surrounded by their family, friends and loved ones and living the best life that they can.”
Penny also conveyed gratitude to the nurses who help her family, “I would like to say thank you to the nurses’ team, because in my home, with my fiancé, we couldn’t make it without you. You have been amazing, consistent, loyal, loving, caring, warm, sensitive – you have not wavered yet, and it is an amazing feeling…I’m honored just to be able to say thank you.”
Meet Michael and his nurses in our official 2023 Nurses Week video:
*Photo, video and patient information used with permission*
