National Nursing Week is about recognizing the contributions nurses and nursing makes to the health and wellness of communities across Saskatchewan. It’s about celebrating the entire nursing team from Registered Nurses, Registered Psychiatric Nurses and Registered Nurse(Nurse Practitioner)s to Licensed Practical Nurses and Continuing Care Assistants.
 
We all know that many of life’s biggest moments are spent with a registered nurse—from the time we are born to the time our lives pass and the many ups and downs in between.
 
Every day in every corner of the health system, patients, families, and communities look to us for caring and compassion; for answers when they are afraid; to speak for them when they cannot speak for themselves; and for expert, often life-saving, care.
 
This trust they place in all of us is the bedrock of our nursing profession. But with this trust comes great responsibility and accountability. I know what it means to be a registered nurse – what it means to carry this responsibility. It can be stressful, but it is also one of the most rewarding experiences in the world.
 
To ease suffering, to share the burden of a patient or their families’ pain, to help save a life, to celebrate life – these are some of the greatest gifts our amazing profession has to offer, and they are the reason I am a proud registered nurse.
 
This year’s theme for Nursing Week, set by the International Council of Nurses (ICN), is “Nurses: A voice to lead health care for all”. This theme taps directly into the trust the public place in all of us. It reflects that every nurse has a story to tell and every story has the potential to improve the health system. Right now, in Saskatchewan, nothing could be a better fit.
 
I am so proud of the leadership registered nurses continually show. Whether it’s helping shape Saskatchewan’s health care future during a period of massive system restructuring or using our voice to elevate some of our province’s most pressing health and social challenges to the public conscience, registered nurses are certainly living up to this year’s theme.
 
These are just a few of the many reasons why I am proud to not only be a registered nurse, but to serve all of you as president of our union. I am sure each of you have your own reasons why you love nursing, but whatever they may be, don’t be afraid to proudly celebrate yourself and each other this week – after all, it’s your week to celebrate, you deserve it! Happy National Nurses Week!

In solidarity,
Tracy Zambory, RN
President, Saskatchewan Union of Nurses

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