National Nurses Week: May 6 - 12 

PELLA, Iowa – Every year, National Nurses Week focuses attention on the diverse ways America's 3.1 million registered nurses work to save lives and to improve the health of millions of individuals. This year, the American Nurses Association has selected Nurses: Advocating, Leading, Caring as the theme for 2012. 

Annually, National Nurses Week begins on May 6, marked as RN Recognition Day, and ends on May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, founder of nursing as a modern profession. During this week, nurses at Pella Regional Health Center will be honored in a variety of ways.

 “I am so proud to be part of the nursing staff here at Pella Regional Health Center,” said Yvonne O’Brien, chief nursing officer at Pella Regional. “We know that having well educated, dedicated professional nurses means patients have the best care.  That’s what we offer at Pella Regional.” 

Traditionally, National Nurses Week is devoted to highlighting the diverse ways in which registered nurses, who comprise the largest health care profession, are working to improve health care. From bedside nursing in hospitals and long-term care facilities to research institutions, state legislatures, and Congress, the depth and breadth of the nursing profession is meeting the expanding health care needs of American society.