The Ontario Nurses’ Association’s (ONA) 68,000 registered nurses, nurse practitioners and registered practical nurses are virtually celebrating their profession during Nursing Week 2020, May 11 to 17. This year is significant in that the World Health Organization has designated 2020 the Year of the Nurse and Midwife, and it also marks the 200th birthday of the founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale.
“It is significant that Nursing Week is held to coincide with Florence Nightingale’s birthday,” notes ONA President Vicki McKenna, RN. “As nurses use social media to mark this week virtually, I can’t help but remember the important advances that she made on proper infection control procedures and practices. This has never been more important than now, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and they hold up today.”
Ontario nurses work in all sectors of health care – in hospitals and long-term care facilities, in community and public health, home care, clinics and even in private industry. They will be taking to social media to tell others about their calling. Using the hashtag #ItsMyCalling on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, ONA members will be able to express their passion for the profession, even in the face of uncertainty. The pandemic has put the spotlight on the critical importance of nursing care, and has also revealed some of the province’s shortcomings in its health-care system.
“Each year, ONA asks members of the public to thank a nurse,” says McKenna. “One bright spot in during COVID-19 has been the kindness of the public, our patients and their families, and many organizations – they have all stepped up to support nurses – and we thank them. Their thoughtfulness and kindness have been very much appreciated by us all.”
She adds that, “while nurses cannot celebrate with one another in person, in order to respect social distancing, we know that we have the support of Ontario.”
ONA is the union representing more than 68,000 registered nurses and health-care professionals, as well as more than 18,000 nursing student affiliates, providing care in hospitals, long-term care facilities, public health, the community, clinics and industry.
Ontario Nurses Association (2020,May8) ‘Our Calling: Care, Compassion, Comfort’ Ontario Nurses’ Association Members Mark Nursing Week 2020 [media release]
photo Facebook/Ontario Nurses’ Association – Local 49 (representing approximately 500 nurses in the Ottawa Valley)