As the largest group of healthcare professionals, nurses make vital contributions to individuals, families, and communities around the world. Given nursing’s immeasurable impact, the ANA Enterprise believes it’s time to expand the traditional National Nurses Week (held annually May 6-12) to a month-long observance.
The Nurses Month theme is “You Make a Difference!” Each week in May will have a different focus:
• Self-care Week—May 1-9
• Recognition Week—May 10-16
• Professional Development Week—May 17-23
• Community Engagement Week—May 24-31
Everyone is encouraged to participate in and promote Nurses Month to recognize nurses and educate the public about the profession’s invaluable work. RNs, hospitals, and other stakeholders can download the Nurses Month toolkit—which includes a Nurses Month logo to use on promotional materials, in social media, and at celebrations and activities—at ana
yearofthenurse.org. Be sure to share your Nurses Month activities on social media using the hashtag #ANANursesMonth. Let’s raise the visibility of the nursing profession in 2020! Learn more about Nurses Month at anayearofthenurse.org/about-nurses-month.
Nurses Month webinar—Tell your nursing story
The story of your nursing journey is an essential part of who you are and speaks to your capabilities as a healthcare professional. Learn how to tell it with flair and conviction in the free Nurses Month webinar, “Magnify your voice—Use storytelling to advance nursing,” at 1 pm ET on May 20. Led by award-winning filmmaker Carolyn Jones, the webinar will teach you the techniques you need to share your story in a compelling, engaging way that:
• communicates the motivations that led you to become and remain a nurse
• connects the impact and value your nursing practice has on your patients, colleagues, and community
• shares how you overcome the challenges nurses face every day.
You can use these techniques in a variety of settings to explain your work as a nurse. Register for the webinar at anayearofthenurse.org/nurses-month-webinar.
Nurse stories
As we celebrate and elevate nurses during the Year of the Nurse and Midwife in 2020 and Nurses Month in May, we want to highlight nurses through their authentic storytelling. Here is a sampling of nurse stories contributed (edited for length) at anayearofthe
nurse.org. Join the celebration and share yours.
Alyssa Joye Gogil Vesey, RN
Minnesota Organization of Registered Nurses
I am very proud to be a nurse. One of the great attributes of the nursing profession is that our diverse opportunities and specializations are interconnected. We can advocate for others and one another no matter which field of expertise we choose. It is fulfilling to help other nurses pursue their dreams.
Devina Horton, MBA, BSN, RN
ANA-New York
I am glad I chose this diverse career. I have taught as a nursing clinical instructor, worked as a travel nurse, and worked in hospital corporate operations. Nursing offers an array of opportunities and nurses can lead and inspire from any position they hold. Not only do nurses save lives, we also inspire individuals to improve self-care, advocate for patients and loved ones, and help patients manage chronic diseases and disabilities.
Valarie Thomas, DNP, RN
Alabama State Nurses Association
I have loved every minute of being a nurse and I never felt like I was going to work. As a nurse educator, I have the best of both worlds. I can teach the next generation of nurses and hopefully lead by example. I can also continue to provide care to patients and families in this role. For the past 3 years, I have traveled with a group of students, staff, and professors from various disciplines to Ghana, West Africa, to provide free healthcare clinics annually.
