OTTAWA, May 10 - The theme of this year's National Nursing Week - Nursing: You Can't Live Without It! - reflects the value of the profession to the health system and celebrates the largest group of health-care providers in Canada who, each day, make important personal and professional contributions to the health and lives of Canadians.
National Nursing Week is not just an opportunity to recognize the outstanding patient-centred care that Canadian nurses provide. It is also a chance to call attention to the role of the profession in optimizing our health system.
"People from all walks of life are amazed at the myriad contributions that nurses make to their well-being, from guiding people through the complexities of the health system, to shaping policy that promotes health and protects populations from disease, to advocating for patient safety and quality of care, to driving important innovations in research," said Kaaren Neufeld, president of the Canadian Nurses Association. "You can depend on nurses to be there with you during ordinary and extraordinary times. And you can bet your life on that."
The celebrations honouring Canada's more than 250,000 registered nurses begin on May 10 with a series of activities across the country.
About National Nursing Week
In 1971, the International Council of Nurses designated May 12 - Florence Nightingale's birthday - as International Nurses Day. 2010 is a milestone year for nurses across the globe as it marks the 100th anniversary of her death. In 1985, in recognition of the dedication and achievements of the nursing profession, the Canadian health minister proclaimed the second week of May as National Nursing Week in Canada.
About CNA
CNA is the national professional voice of registered nurses in Canada. It is a federation of 11 provincial and territorial nursing associations and colleges. CNA believes that the sustainability of a quality, publicly funded, not-for-profit health system rests upon a vibrant nursing workforce.
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For further information: Paul Watson, Communications Coordinator, Canadian Nurses Association, (613) 237-2159 x283, (613) 697-7507 mobile, E-mail: pwatson@cna-aiic.ca