National Nurses Week begins each year on May 6th and ends on May 12th, Florence Nightingale’s birthday. The week was first observed in the US in October 1954 to mark the 100th anniversary of Nightingale’s pioneering work. Twenty years later, in February of 1974, President Nixon proclaimed a National Nurse Week to be celebrated annually in May.

No matter the setting, the situation or the care specialty, nurses across the country work hard every day to keep people as safe and as healthy as possible. They are staunch advocates for their patients, expert and efficient multitaskers, and compassionate caregivers. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, everyday nurses with these remarkable qualities continue to hold our communities together.

The staff at the IPRO ESRD Network Program cannot thank nurses enough for their tireless efforts, sacrifice, dedication and fortitude in caring for patients, care partners, and dialysis families everyday…and especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Please display the Healthcare Heroes Poster in a common area as a representation of our gratitude, and share the Staff Self-Care Tips and Checklist During the COVID-19 Pandemic with team members to help support their superhero status.

We thank you for everything you do to improve the lives of individuals with end stage renal disease!