National Nurses Week

Perhaps you may like to know that National Nurses Week begins Thursday, May 6, and ends on Wednesday, May 12. And, National Nurses Appreciation Day is observed on May 6. In 2020, the theme was “Nurses: A Voice to Lead – Nursing the World to Health.”

Recently I read that the initiative for an official nurse day was first proposed in 1953 when Dorothy Sutherland of the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare sent a proposal to President Eisenhower. Twenty years later President Nixon organized a week in February of 1974 at the White House to recognize the nursing profession. (https://cipherhealth.com )

I learned that May 12, the final day of National Nurses Week, is the birthday of Florence Nightingale (1820-1910). The English nurse became known as the founder of professional nursing, especially due to her pioneering work during the Crimean War (1853-1856). … May 6 was introduced as the date for the observance in 1982. (https://www.timeanddate.com )

And, did you know the color blue denotes depth, stability, trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, and intelligence? It is purported that blue has a soothing, relaxing, and calming effect. It is not a coincidence that NHS [National Health Service] Solutions [in the UK] chose blue and green for its logo colors! (https://nhss.com )

For as long as I remember, my favorite color has been blue (and the hues thereof). I’ve always loved gazing at or being in the ocean and looking up to the sky. I usually have felt more peaceful, and I’ve felt the nursing effect of nature and been inspired by God, Spirit.

The American Dictionary of the English Language partly defines “nurse” as: to cherish; to foster, to encourage; to promote growth in; to nourish; to manage with care and economy, with a view to increase: as, to nurse our national resources.

Thus, all of us can nurse and nourish one another and our earth. Of course, there are those who have chosen to dedicate their lives to being nurses – selflessly caring for others. A dear cousin of mine, who I cherish, is one, and a sweet, kind neighbor another. During this past year especially, nurses and other frontline workers have done remarkable, courageous works, often with personal sacrifices.

In Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy wrote, “An ill-tempered, complaining, or deceitful person should not be a nurse. The nurse should be cheerful, orderly, punctual, patient, full of faith, – receptive to Truth and Love” (p. 395). Most nurses I know continually demonstrate the latter characteristics and qualities rather than the former in their daily work. So, if you know a nurse or a Christian Science nurse, thank this individual, and if you can, give them a hug of gratitude too. This appreciation, this love is nursing one another!

D. Brian Boettiger