Nurses Week 2021: From nurses week to year of the nurse

The past year has brought unbelievably challenging times to nurses everywhere. The critical role nurses have played throughout the global pandemic has been nothing short of monumental. News story after news story has thrust nurses into the spotlight masked, exhausted, and yet still going above and beyond in supporting their patients. 

May 6 kicks off Nurses Week, with special meaning– as the American Nurses Association (ANA) and The World Health Organization (WHO) extend the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife from 2020 into 2021. We hope you will join Spok, the WHO, the ANA Enterprise, and colleagues around the world in recognizing the unwavering sacrifices and contributions of all nurses. 

Nurses play a vital role in providing healthcare services, sometimes being the first and only point of care in their communities. This year has been no exception and has notably expanded the role nurses have filled, requiring them to compassionately provide care beyond administering to an acute disease or procedure. Many nurses facilitated communication between isolated patients and loved ones, and for some patients, their nurses were the only ones by their side at the end of life. Polls show what most of us already instinctively know: nurses are innately trusted and have remained at the top of the list for ethics and honesty for nearly two decades. 

Spok President and CEO Vincent Kelly offers this special message to kick off Nurses Week. 

At Spok, nursing professionals are critical to our efforts to deliver smarter, faster clinical communication in more than 2,200 hospitals nationwide. Get to know some of our nursing professionals on staff in posts like Traci Bartolomei on making a difference, David Gutillo on communication and clinical experiences, Kiley Black on blending technology and nursing, and Katie Lindmeyer on achieving a higher caliber of nursing. 

In addition to these nursing professionals, we’re proud to work alongside: Ashley Franks, Karen Hickey, Kristen Lalowski, Myra Ehrman, Meghan Brown, and Christine Brown. 

During these unprecedented times, all of us at Spok are deeply grateful to the nurses who are helping keep our communities safe. Please know that your service is valued, and we look forward to continuing to recognize you, support you, and thank you throughout 2021, and beyond.