Make a noise to show appreciation for nurses on Wednesday, May 12
HAMILTON, ON – May 10 to 16 is National Nursing Week, and Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) is asking the community to share the love for nurses. On Wednesday, May 12 Hamilton hospitals are inviting everyone to “make a noise” for nurses at 7 p.m. from your home or business by clapping, banging pots and pans, shining flashlights, or whatever you can do to show your appreciation.
“The leadership of nurses in our hospitals and community is an inspiration to all of us,” says Rob MacIsaac, President and CEO of HHS. “This year more than ever we celebrate our nurses, and the incredible role of nurses at HHS and in our health system overall.”
Joining the efforts to make a noise for Nurses Week on Wednesday – also known as Florence Nightingale’s birthday – will be a procession of Hamilton Paramedic, Police and Fire Service vehicles, which will be driving by HHS sites while honking and sounding sirens.
The procession of emergency vehicles will start at the Juravinski Hospital at 6:30 p.m., then move on to St. Peter’s Hospital for 6:50. Hamilton General Hospital will be next at 7:10 p.m., followed by McMaster Children’s Hospital at 7:30 to end the evening of gratitude.
“We work closely with nurses at Hamilton hospitals every day – it’s a team effort to care for those in our community,” says Hamilton Police Services Superintendent Will Mason. “Making a noise to demonstrate how much we value everything they do – especially this year – is the least we can do.”
Charissa Cordon, Chief of Nursing Practice at HHS knows the convoy of emergency vehicles will mean so much to her fellow nurses – “When your days are busy, exhausting and emotionally draining, these heartfelt gestures go a long way.”
HHS has seen an increase in admissions for COVID-19 during this third wave of the pandemic, which has resulted in HHS having to increase their ICU bed count in recent weeks. When an ICU bed is added to the complement of existing beds it has to go somewhere and it needs specialized skills to operate it. Many nurses have been redeployed to HHS’s ICUs to help with this increased capacity and the patients battling COVID-19.
Nurses work closely with other healthcare professionals and team members to care for patients on a daily basis to help defeat COVID-19. These professionals work 24 hours a day, seven days a week in stressful and emotionally draining situations.
“Another great way to show your love for nurses is to follow public health guidelines,” adds Cordon. “Everyone’s efforts, paired with getting the vaccine as soon as it is offered to you, will help to alleviate the stress on our hospitals and help return us to normal life.”
– 30 –
For more information, please contact:
Wendy Stewart
Communications & Public Affairs
Hamilton Health Sciences
stewartwen@hhsc.ca