This year, Nursing Week runs from May 8-14 and represents a time to recognize the significant contributions of nurses throughout the lifespan and, notably, for their commitment during the COVID-19 pandemic, while responding to concurrent emergencies and maintaining core services.
OPH’s understanding of racism deepened during the pandemic, particularly systemic racism as the root cause of health inequities observed in Indigenous, Black and racialized communities. We would be remiss not to mention the impacts of systemic racism (anti-Black, anti-Indigenous, anti-Asian, antisemitism, and anti-Muslim) on the daily lives of Indigenous, Black, and racialized nurses and the leadership nurses are providing to transform systems.
As public health practice evolves to achieve a healthy, inclusive, and sustainable future, the role of nurses at OPH continues to adapt and expand to support our population’s current needs. The pandemic put a spotlight on the commitment of nurses to their work and the important role they play in the community. By working together with our citizens and using a health equity lens, nurses strive to embed prevention across the health system to maximize impact and create a healthy future for all.
This year’s theme is “Our Nurses, Our Future”, highlighting the vital role nurses play in shaping decisions that impact care at local, provincial, and national levels. Public health is forward-thinking. The work nursed do now spans from the bedside to the boardroom, impacting the way we lead our lives every day to promote health now, so that our city remains safe, healthy, and thriving well into the future.
As we celebrate nursing week this year, let’s acknowledge the diverse role that nurses play to improve the current and future health and wellbeing of all.
Thank a nurse!