Happy Nursing Week – May 10-16, 2021
CNO-ON Executive Team (ENO):
- President- Elsabeth Jensen
- President-Elect: Rashmy Lobo
- Director of Finance: Paul-André Gauthier
- Director of Policy and Political Action: Jennifer Anderson
- Director of Communication & Secretary: Kadeen Briscoe
- Director of Membership & Services: Gina Dolezel
- Graduate Nursing Student Representative: Cecile Lormeus
Nursing Week is a time to reflect on our profession and the contributions we make to the health and well being of all people in Ontario and Canada. From the year 1642, when Jeanne Mance arrived in Canada to begin her work as a nurse until the present, nurses have contributed to the betterment of life in Canada. She helped to establish a city, Montreal, and a hospital, Hotel Dieu. Ontario counts Mary Agnes Snively as Canada’s first Nightingale trained nurse. She was instrumental in the development of the medical school at the University of Toronto and in building the finest nursing education program, Toronto General Hospital School of Nursing. This remained the top school of nursing in Canada until its closure in 1974.
As we reflect on the phenomenal contributions of nurses over the centuries, we find that we still face an up-hill struggle to be paid appropriately for the contributions that nursing knowledge and skill make to health care. Our voices still struggle to be heard. Today nurses are working long hours to help our population deal with the Covid pandemic. This has been an exhausting and challenging time.
During this week it is important to take time to reflect and re-energise. Take time to breathe, to look up and out, to enjoy the spring. Even a few moments will make a difference.
Reenergised, we will continue to work for improvements to health and health care, including appropriate recognition of the worth of nursing’s knowledge and skill to Ontarians.
== > Elsabeth Jensen, CNS-ON President.
Short messages from other ENO members:
Strong lives are motivated by dynamic purposes. May we continue to move forward with resilience in our endeavor to promote change. Happy Nurses Week. From: Rashmy.
Happy Nursing Week! We are sharing our best wishes for this year’s Nursing Week. We are not able to celebrate and be together in person considering the covid limitations. However, we are supporting each other true these challenging times. You are not alone… nurses are professionals working together ! Take care of each other – From: Paul-André.
Your efforts have not gone unnoticed throughout the pandemic. Your sacrifice and value exceed the appreciation you deserve. ‘There is virtue in work and virtue in rest. Use both and overlook neither.’ Quote by Alan Cohen - From: Kadeen
Thank you to all nurses for being incredible and sacrificing your lives every day during these difficult times to save so many lives. May all the care you have provided to others bless your heart a thousandfold. Happy nursing week to all CNS-ON members. You are Heroes! From: Cecile
Despite the transformations that we are facing, we are answering the call ! From: Gina.
See the following poem “Today I saw a Nurse” by D. Rodgers http://www.jimagemag.com/Online-Magazine/may-20/may-20LR.pdf (page 92)
More information about Nursing Week:
https://www.icn.ch/news/international-council-nurses-announces-international-nurses-day-theme-2021
https://www.cna-aiic.ca/en/news-room/events/national-nursing-week