National Nurses Week Ends – What Now?

As National Nurses Week 2009 ends, it’s time for us to return to the real world where no one celebrates nursing.

Wait a minute!

Why do we have to stop celebrating nursing just because the official week is over?  It makes no sense as we continue to struggle with nurse staffing issues, patient safety, a bankrupt health care system, and a worldwide nursing shortage.

It is more important now than ever before to keep the focus on nursing and celebrate our ability to positively influence the health of our communities.

Set goals to maintain awareness about key nursing and healthcare issues this year in your community, state, and country.

• Offer to talk about nursing careers in your area schools or community colleges.
• Seek out opportunities to educate or mentor new nurses.
• Contact your elected officials regularly to keep the apprised of your concerns about health care.
• Join the professional association for your nursing specialty and get involved in research best practices in patient care.
• Look for ways to improve patient care in your facility and work to implement them.
• Follow trends in nursing research or better yet start your own research project into best nursing practices in patient care.

These are just a few ideas I came up with.  What about you? Leave a comment below.