Celebrating National Nurses Week

You have probably noticed the construction taking place just inside Pence Gate and may be curious about plans for the new hospital. Among the DeWitt Army Community Hospital staff, there are mixed feelings of anxiety, fear of the unknown, and trepidation; but there are also feelings of excitement, awe and pride for our new facility.

The idea of change can be overwhelming and, for DeWitt staff, this change is tremendous. Concepts like evidenced-based design, Patient- and Family-Centered Care, and Culture of Excellence are being used more and more often. What were once foreign ideas to our employees are now being integrated into our everyday work ethics and demonstrated in the care of our patients.

Be assured, nurses at DeWitt are taking the lead as we prepare to provide integrated and world-class medical services to our patients in the new Fort Belvoir Community Hospital.

At various times in my nursing career, I've been asked about my profession. What always comes to mind and what I say is, "You have to love to be a nurse." I'd like to think that is why we do what we do.

In a 2004 brochure known as The Nightingale Tribute, Duane Jaeger wrote, "Nursing is a calling, a lifestyle, a way of living. Nursing is a service profession that cannot be lived in isolation. Nurses rely on each other for the synergistic effect of teamwork in our efforts of care giving."

Whether you are a nurse, are in the military, have family members in the military or work with the military, you can relate to this quote. It encompasses who we are ... our passion and our way of life. It's embedded in our personalities and in our language, and it affects our families. We all work days, nights, weekends and holidays. Although it's hard work and a demanding profession, it's also a very rewarding job. Though we do not receive it often, words of praise, thanks and hugs from people and family members are moments that help make our work easier.

As part of our effort to recognize our nurses, DeWitt takes part in National Nurses Week, which begins on National Nurses' Day, May 6, and ends May 12. Throughout the week, we will hold a variety of activities in honor of the nursing staff, including a wheelchair race, ice cream social, Nurses' Week breakfast, nursing jeopardy game, DeWitt-commander sponsored fun run/walk, and various unit activities.

The week ends with the Posner Nursing Awards Ceremony, which is on May 12 - the birthday of Florence Nightingale, founder of modern nursing. So, as we take a week to honor our nursing staff, please stop by and join the festivities at DeWitt, and don't forget to thank a nurse.