To celebrate the role of nurses in healthcare over the past two centuries, Knox Community Hospital will honor its nurses in May during National Nurses Month.
Carol Emery, chief nursing officer for KCH, told the Mount Vernon News the hospital will recognize its 380 nurses both publicly and privately in a variety of ways.
Each department, as well as the organization as a whole, has various activities and recognition methods, such as food and gifts, she said. The hospital will share stories of its nurses related to the four themes of Nurses’ Month this year (self-care, recognition, professional development and community recognition).
“Of course, I feel I can never do enough to express my appreciation and pride with our nursing family,” she said. “We are proud of the commitment of our nurses to improve the quality of care, professionalism, compassion and pride in the nursing profession.”
Since the days of Florence Nightingale, who led a team of nurses to fight for sanitary conditions at a British hospital, nursing has been a key health care discipline. Her work reduced the death count by two-thirds and her writings sparked worldwide healthcare reform, Emery said.
That important work is still ongoing, according to Emery.
“Our patient care teams demonstrate an uncompromising commitment to providing the highest quality of patient care and are influential in enhancement of the patient experience,” she said.
The journey to becoming a nurse can take various paths, depending on specialty, Emery explained.
“Many nurses start as Patient Care Assistants (PCAs) or State Trained Nursing Assistants (STNAs),” she said. “These patient care team members provide the daily care such as meals, bathing, walking and toileting.”
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) frequently work in long term care or ambulatory clinics, and have expanded training beyond PCAs or STNAs. "We now have LPNs in hospital care," Emery said.
The largest category of nurses at KCH is Registered Nurses (RNs). RNs can obtain advanced degrees and certifications.
“They adhere to the nursing code of ethics as they carry out physician/provider orders, assess patient needs, develop plans for patients, educate patients, and advocate as they help the patient navigate healthcare,” Emery said.
The field of nursing remains as important today as it was two centuries ago. A 2022 Gallup Poll of Americans ranked nursing as the most honest and ethical profession for the 20th consecutive year at 81% for nurses followed by military officers at 61%, Emery stated.
“After 24 years in the nursing profession myself, I cannot imagine doing anything else with my life,” Emery said. “The nursing profession is always growing and has a place for everyone with so many opportunities to make a difference. In fact, ‘You make a difference’ is the ANA (American Nurses Association) motto for this year’s nurses’ month.”
