TORONTO – Ontario’s nurses will celebrate their profession during Nursing Week 2017.
Nursing Week will be held May 8 to 14, and the Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA) has chosen the theme: “We are Ontario’s Nurses. Nurses Know” as they mark the birthday of the world’s most famous nurse, Florence Nightingale and pause to celebrate the skills, education, critical thinking and knowledge they bring to patient care.
“ONA’s 64,000 registered nurses, nurse practitioners, registered practical nurses and more than 16,000 nursing student affiliates are passionate about their profession,” said ONA President Linda Haslam-Stroud, RN. “We know that what we do is vital to our patients receiving the quality care they rely on. Nurses have the education, skills, and dedication our patients deserve.”
ONA members across the province will be holding events to mark Nursing Week. Some will be airing advertisements in movie theatres, in local newspapers and radio; others will hold education sessions, information sessions and will celebrate their colleagues at special events. ONA is also launching a new social media campaign today, “Celebrating the Profession,” and urging others to thank a nurse (Nursesknow.ona.org).
Members of ONA’s board of directors, including Haslam-Stroud and First Vice-President Vicki McKenna, will be crossing the province to attend as many member events as possible, conducting site visits and celebrating the vital profession of nursing.
“Ontario nurses face a number of serious challenges in delivering quality patient care,” notes Haslam-Stroud. “RN cuts have left our members challenged by heavy workloads, facing increasing workplace violence, and the profession has been omitted from post-traumatic stress disorder legislation. Yet this week, we will focus instead on the skills, education and compassion that nurses bring to the front lines of patient care.”
Members of the media should watch for media advisories in their communities as ONA representatives visit members.
ONA is the union representing 64,000 registered nurses and allied health professionals, as well as almost 16,000 nursing student affiliates, providing care in hospitals, long-term care facilities, public health, the community, clinics and industry.
