A Nursing Week message from Anne Coghlan

As Nursing Week 2020 begins, it feels more important than ever to acknowledge your dedication and expertise, and to thank you for caring. Your work to ensure safe care for patients during these challenging times is inspiring.

It’s a special year for nurses around the world, with May 12 marking 200 years since the birth of Florence Nightingale. Well known as the founder of modern nursing, her vision for nursing professionals in the 19^th century is still very much alive today. Leadership, collaboration, compassion and a commitment to patient care and well-being were values Nightingale upheld and instilled in her nursing students. These values remain central within the complexity of care today, with nurses applying their knowledge and judgment, along with scientific evidence, to their professional practice.

In honour of the 200^th anniversary of Nightingale’s birth, the World Health Organization has declared 2020 the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife. This year-long effort celebrates the work of nurses and midwives and highlights the challenging conditions they often face, making it particularly meaningful during a global pandemic. Times like this also remind us of the value of teamwork across all health care professions. If you can, I encourage you to take a moment this week to share with us on social media why you’re a nurse and to acknowledge your colleagues (LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.)

As trusted health care professionals responding to this event with expertise and compassion, you continue to demonstrate your commitment to patients and their families. We are grateful for all you are doing. You are — and will continue to be — leaders in patient safety.

On behalf of everyone at CNO, I wish you all a safe and happy Nursing Week.

Stay well and thank you for caring.

Anne Coghlan, RN, MScN
Executive Director and CEO