During this National Nurses Week of May 2009, I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and everyone of you who so willingly dedicate yourself to serving the needs of your fellow man whether in the emergency department or in some other capacity.
Nursing is indeed a unique calling blending art, science, and human emotions such as compassion within a role to improve the quality of life to those persons that nurses serve. Wherever there are sick people, there too will be nurses.
Emergency nurses are called to be knowledgeable and to think quickly on their feet despite facing disastrous conditions or frightening situations. ED nurses provide compassionate care at all hours of the day, often without breaks, going from one crisis to another, whether brightening the spirits of an injured child, working together as a team to stabilize a critical patient, or offering consolation to someone who lost a family member. The work that ED nurses tirelessly perform each day with little or no recognition is transformative both individually and to society as a whole. This week especially, let us take a moment to give our colleagues and ourselves a collective pat on the back.
Matthew C. Sharp BSN, RN, CEN
President Wisconsin ENA
