Nurses are the heart of healthcare

May 8-14 is National Nursing Week in Canada. Beginning today and for the next seven days, we give our sincere respect and gratitude to the brilliant, dedicated, selfless, and kind group of women and men who make up the nursing profession. 

I was a registered nurse for 17 years and it is not an easy job. It takes a person who has the desire and ability to care for others, and who truly wants to make a difference in the world. 

All nurses deserve our recognition and gratitude for working long hours and providing compassionate care to their patients. However, I want to pay particular attention to the Registered Nurses (RN) and Registered Practical Nurses (RPN) who provide care to residents in our retirement residences. 

“Nurses are the eyes, the ears, and sometimes the voice of the person in their care.”

Nursing is physically and emotionally draining. For those who have devoted their lives to the nursing profession, some days it can feel almost impossible to continue, to give another ounce of themselves. It can be exhausting. Yet, the people who have devoted their lives to this profession always find a way to persevere. Because they know that a single decision in an instant can mean the difference between life and death for the person in their care. Nurses work incredibly long hours in oftentimes challenging environments. They must always be alert to even the smallest of details, while providing exceptional care and regular updates to family members, who expect and deserve details of their loved one’s prognosis and progress. 

Nurses are the eyes, the ears, and sometimes the voice of the person in their care. They must possess incredible empathy and compassion. I personally credit my years in nursing for making me a much better doctor today. I understand the critical role that nurses play. The physician is only as good as the nurses supporting them. 

I have tremendous respect for the nurses in our retirement residences and long term care homes and for all nurses. I couldn’t do my job without them. I value them and I know how much they give of themselves. They raise the bar for all of us in how we care for residents. Our nurses are our present, and they are our future. 

To all the nurses caring for residents in the seniors living sector and all nurses everywhere, thank you for all that you do. Happy Nursing Week!