The recent pandemic brought to the forefront the challenges faced by nurses and other healthcare professionals, but the ease in Covid restrictions hasn’t reduced those challenges. Many hospitals are still drastically understaffed, many emergency rooms are often overcrowded and far too many nurses are still overworked and under-appreciated.

The pandemic highlighted the critical role that nurses play in our healthcare system, and it has underscored the need to invest in their training, support and well-being. It is essential that we recognize the value of the nursing profession and ensure that nurses have the resources they need to provide high-quality care.

National Nurses Week begins each year on May 6 and ends on May 12, Florence Nightingale’s birthday (1820 - 1910). The 2023 Nurses Week theme “Nurses Make a Difference: Anytime, Anywhere – Always” honors the unwavering commitment of DHA nurses to their patients and the value they provide to the unified health care team in accomplishing their medical readiness mission.

As we celebrate National Nurses Week 2023, let us take the time to thank and honor the nurses who have been working tirelessly to keep us healthy and safe. Let us also take this opportunity to advocate for policies that support nurses and their critical work, such as adequate staffing levels, safe working conditions and fair compensation. Let us celebrate their dedication, hard work and sacrifice, and work to ensure that they have the resources they need to continue providing the highest quality care to patients.