SENATORS’ STATEMENTS — National Nursing Week

Honourable senators, I rise before you today to celebrate National Nursing Week 2024.

In 1971, the International Council of Nurses designated May 12, the birthday of nursing pioneer Florence Nightingale, as International Nurses Day.

In 1985, members of the Canadian Nurses Association advocated to have the week of May 12 proclaimed as National Nurses Week annually. Soon after, the federal health minister proclaimed the second week of May as National Nurses Week. In 1993, the name was changed to National Nursing Week to emphasize the profession’s accomplishments as a discipline.

Of the more than 450,000 members of regulated nursing professionals in Canada of which I am proud to be one — over 300,000 are registered nurses, and nurse practitioner is one of the fastest growing professions in health care. Nurses are working everywhere in the health care system — almost 55% work in a hospital. If you should find yourself there one day at 2 a.m., I can guarantee you that the health professional who will most likely be there for you is a nurse.

I believe the greatest potential for improving health care outcomes in the future is to increase the presence of nurses and nurse practitioners working in primary care settings in the community, improving access to primary health care and the management of chronic disease. Nurses in the community understand the impacts of the social determinants of health and the importance of population health as they address the needs of individuals and families with other health professionals and community partners. They are skilled advocates and collaborators.

I want to tell my fellow nurses across Canada to celebrate, be proud and stay strong. You make a difference every day.

Thank you, woliwon.