Today marks the first day of Nurses Week 2014, an annual period of recognition for the important contributions of nurses everywhere. VA strives to be a culture that celebrates nurses throughout the year, but this is a unique opportunity to celebrate nurses and honor the work they do in creating and maintaining a multi-faceted environment of healing and support.

1 in 4 professional nurses have their clinical rotations at VA. In every hospital, in every state, VA-trained nurses work side by side with nurses everywhere, providing care to all of America. This year, VA Careers is promoting an initiative of collective thanks called “Spread the Health. Thank a Nurse.”

NursesWeek_ecard

Aimed at highlighting the many aspects of nursing excellence, this campaign allows you to send customized notes of thanks to the nurses in your life. When you visit http://www.vacareers.va.gov/nursesweek/, you can choose from seven different e-cards and write a personal message to a nurse who has special meaning to you. Once you’ve created your message, we encourage you to share the e-card through Facebook, Twitter, e-mail or by printing it. There’s no limit, so thank as many nurses as you’d like!

Throughout the week, be sure to tag your thank you e-cards with #VANursesWeek so that we can create a large, loud cry of support to all of the nurses throughout the country!

Did You Know?

Nurses Week is celebrated annually during the week leading up to Florence Nightingale’s birthday, May 12. [1]

In the U.S., employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 19% from 2012 to 2022, due to the demands of an aging population and changing healthcare environment. [2]

The Veterans Administration was established in 1930. At the time, VA Nursing Service employed approximately 2,500 registered nurses. [3]

Today, VA is the largest employer of nurses in the Nation, with more than 80,000 RNs, APNs, LPNs/LVNs, and nursing assistants. [4]

Remember to take some time today, this week, and throughout the year to say “Thank You” to a nurse in your life! And if you’re a nurse yourself, know that we appreciate you and the special care you provide to your patients and America’s Veterans.

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