More Than a Paycheck

Once again, we find ourselves approaching National Nurses Day (Wednesday, May 6th), International Nurses Day (Tuesday, May 12th) and National Nurses Week (May 6th – May 12th), celebrated throughout our country with employer-sponsored stress-relieving massages, medical-themed tchotchkes, pens, totes, and – of course – bagels and coffee.  It’s probably no coincidence that Nurses Day happens to fall around Mother’s Day and Teacher Appreciation Day. There’s a common theme in there, I think.  Or maybe it’s just because Florence Nightingale’s birthday is May 12th.  Either way, I’m sure Hallmark has encouraged its popularity.

Every dog has its day, right?

Someone said to me it’s silly to celebrate National Nurses Day.  Or week.  Or anything of the sort.  You get paid, she said.  Take your paycheck and go home. A day of recognition – let alone a week – is superfluous, unnecessary, and a self-directed pat on the back with a handful of overkill.

Except that Saturday was National Naked Gardening Day.  National. Naked. Gardening. Day.  If naked gardeners can have a day, so can nurses.  Even naked nurses (but that will have to be May 9th, since May 8th is National Student Nurses Day, and Wednesday of National Nurses Week is National School Nurses Day, which happens, this year, to also be May 6th).  Confused? Me, too.

I’m not confused about nursing, though. It is a gift to commit to quality healthcare, in whichever branch of the profession you choose to do so.  To all of my fellow nurses, I wish you a week of honor, pride, satisfaction, and professional re-inspiration. Through your continued dedication, I hope you bring awareness to the importance of nurses to everyone you encounter.

It’s not all about a paycheck to us.  But we’ll take the tote bags, thank you very much.