Main Street Medical Monthly Digest
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
National Nurses Week
By: Mikayla Tuck May 23 2019
This week draws close attention to the nursing profession and amazing people that work the job. This week increases awareness to the public, policy makers and government of the many contributions and sacrifices nurses make to better the health care of all Canadians.
In 1971 May 12th was designated by the international council of nurses (ICN) as international nurses day. May 12th is the birthday of nurse founder and advocate, Florence Nightingale. In 1985, CNA members passed resolution to begin negotiations to have the week containing May 12th as national nurses week, annually. Soon after, the Federal Minister of Health proclaimed May 6th-12th as national nurses week to emphasize the importance of the profession and the professions accomplishments as a discipline.
“Every nurse was drawn to nursing because of a desire to care, to serve, or to help.”
– Christina Feist-Heilmeier, RN
…………………………………………………………………………………..
THIS MONTHS TOP STORIES
Nurses Inspire, Innovate and Influence
By: Mikayla Tuck May 23 2019
Nurses are perceived for their capacity to inspire others, however, in many cases, they are on the receiving end of inspiration. This is particularly true amid intense patient encounters, where a patient may give a nurse the motivation the individual needs to continue. They provide physical care, which is critical, however, more significantly they give reassurance, a calming presence, an ear to tune in and a voice to advocate. Nurses make an effort every day as they embody the nature of their work and title which is a caretaker of the patient’s mind, body and soul as well as they possibly can.
Nurses are very important in improving the quality of patient care through innovative ideas, based on experience and knowledge of best-practices. Jonelle Krier, an OB nurse in Duluth, Minnesota, came up with an idea for an infant bodysuit that provides an opening that exposes the umbilical cord. She became frustrated after a parent was having issues air-drying the umbilical cord opening. The one-piece suits are now used in some hospital nurseries. Krier won a Huggies® Mom Inspired™ grant, which has helped to offer more colors and designs (Huggies, 2013). This is an example of how nurses can change industry standards to improve patient care.
Nurses must see themselves as professionals with the potential and authority to impact present and future health care systems for health care to be influential. 
The profession of nursing is created by human health science and a caring nature. It operates from a framework that values all people in a holistic way and seeks to enhance and encourage the health of people throughout their lives. To Accomplish these goals, it is important that measures are in place to define and integrate appropriate standards for care service and to address the necessary conditions for care to occur. Nurses can and should influence standards and processes of practice to guarantee quality of healthcare through policy work.
It’s hard work being a nurse, and it’s not a job that can be done on its own … it’s a team “sport”. A great team makes a great nurse, ask any nurse and they would agree completely. Since there are days when situations get difficult and time is limited and you need more hands than you will ever have, 
having a group of people to rely on is important to run any patient care scenario efficiently. Some days you will need help and others you will lend a hand, but if all nurses work with a team mentality it will naturally inspire each other and all nurses will feel encouraged and reinforced.
Nurses week and Nursing Students
By: Mikayla Tuck May 23 2019
Nursing students have a role as part of National Nurses Week too. In 1997, the ANA Board of Directors, at the request of the National Student Nurses Association, designated May 8th as “National Student Nurses Day.”
“To a bright eyed new nurse I would say: Take every opportunity to learn from those around you. I learned pretty quickly that in every group of nurses, each nurse has their strengths, and you can absolutely benefit and build your own strengths by emulating those of others. Some are great leaders, some have amazing clinical skills, some know how to think best on their feet in times of crisis, others are very organized, and others are best in difficult patient dynamics. Whatever it may be, my advice would be to take advantage of all the talents around you, soak them up, apply them, and realize that your best teacher was not one from nursing school, but all your experienced peers you’ll have all around you!”- Brittany M., MSN, WHNP, RN
As a nursing student myself, receiving the medical experience I am having at main street medical Clinic is building my own strengths, leadership and clinical skills. In September of this year, I will be publishing my own reflection piece of the experience I am having as a young nursing student working in rural Newfoundland.
Nurses are in a unique position to positively impact the lives of everyone within their reach. From helping patients to mentoring an RN student, the options are endless on how nurses can inspire, innovate and influence, all year round, not just during nurses week.
A nursing career is one that you can rewardingly enjoy in various ways. There’s no limit to what you can learn and the number of lives you can positively impact.
Click here to check out these incredible stories told by registered nurses.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Main street Medical Clinic
165 Main street Springdale, NL A0J 1T0
Email: medicaldirector@mainstreetclinic.ca