With the strain that COVID-19 is placing on our healthcare system, it is more important than ever to recognize the immense impact and vital role that nurses play in our community. Making up the highest percentage of healthcare workers in the US, there are more than three times as many nurses in the United States than doctors and physicians. Each and every day, thousands of nurses are laying their lives on the line to protect our loved ones and provide support to our loved ones families. Here are a few reasons why you should celebrate National Nurses Month and support our healthcare heroes:
Putting Their Lives on the Line
Acting as the frontline in the fight against COVID-19, nurses are tirelessly saving countless lives each day. Even when their own lives were at stake due to insufficient PPE at the height of the pandemic, nurses continued to treat and provide as much relief as they could to the overflow of patients being seen. We are all indebted to the invaluable work being done by our nurses and will never forget the sacrifices made by the nurses we lost to COVID-19.
Taking Preventative Approach to Healthcare
Throughout their education and training, nurses are conditioned to treat the whole patient, rather than focusing on a specific injury or illness. By looking past the immediate symptoms, they are able to diagnose the root cause of the health concern to ensure that the patient receives the appropriate treatment methods. With the focus of healthcare shifting from acute care to overall preventative medicine, nurses are providing even greater value to the healthcare system. Many nurses are even encouraged to earn a Bachelors of Science in Nursing to increase their breadth of knowledge with evidence-based practice.
Providing Emotional Support for Patients
At the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, there were many unknowns when it came to treatment and a potential vaccine. With patients overflowing with anxiety and concern, nurses provided calming emotional support to ease their patients fears, even when they knew there was little hope. While this may seem like an insignificant aspect of their daily tasks, the amount of emotional strain this has on the nurses themselves cannot be understated. In fact, many nurses require professional counseling to relieve the strain this has had on their own mental well-being.
Empowering the Community
In addition to working on the frontlines of the healthcare system, nurses are also doing their part to educate and empower their communities to strive for better health. Nurses are often seen leading, organizing, and consulting community health programs focused on preventative medicine. By promoting a healthier lifestyle on a grassroots level, nurses are undoubtedly one of the most important members of our community. If you see or hear about a nurse-led health program in your area, show up and encourage others to support their valuable causes.
Elevating Healthcare Management Systems
While most people think of nurses as primary caregivers, sometimes they can carry their skills into other types of work related to healthcare. One such nurse is Khrystal Landrum, RN. She plays an important role in TAGNOS’ effort to develop innovative healthcare management systems. By empowering healthcare technology organizations with her unique clinical lens, she is actively shaping the future of clinical workflows and improving the patient experience. By leveraging her past experiences as a bedside nurse to help TAGNOS elevate its hospital orchestration solutions, she ensures maximum adoptability and ease-of-use.
Although National Nurses Month is coming to a close, we look forward to continuing to support our nurses year-round as they battle the effects that the COVID-19 pandemic is having on our healthcare system. If you personally know a nurse, take some time out of your day to thank that individual for all the sacrifices and hard work they have made for our communities.
Thank you to nurses everywhere – you are the greatest advocate of patients and provide invaluable emotional support to those in need.