Sarasota Memorial celebrates its 1,200 nurses this week

Sarasota Memorial Health Care System is celebrating its nurses during National Nurses Week with a weeklong slate of activities that recognize the care and commitment of its 1,200 nurses.

National Nurses Week runs from May 6-12. The national recognition week takes place each year, culminating May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing.

“For our nurses, it’s not just a profession, it’s a passion,” said Sarasota Memorial Chief Nursing Officer Jan Mauck, in a news release. “Nurses Week is a wonderful opportunity to recognize and thank them for the dedication they demonstrate every day.”

The “Magnet” Nurses of Excellence Awards at 3:30 pm Wednesday, will recognize the top 10 nurses in Sarasota Memorial. Sarasota Memorial is one of 5% of hospitals in the nation to earn nursing’s highest honor – Magnet Nursing Services Recognition. Awarded sparingly by the American Nurses’ Credentialing Center, the designation identifies hospitals that provide the resources, education and supportive environment necessary to attract and retain the best and brightest nurses.

In honor of nursing’s special week, Sarasota Memorial also is continuing its long-standing “Blessing of the Hands” tradition. A special ceremony will be held 1 p.m. and 9 p.m. Tuesday, May 8. Chaplains will anoint nurses' hands with oil and bless them for continuing to use their hands as instruments of healing. Other activities also taking place during the week include:

• “Wear Your Whites Day!” Wednesday, May 10; nurses will don the traditional white uniforms.

• “Happy Birthday Florence Nightingale Celebration” – birthday cake will be served 11 am-1 pm Saturday, May 12, in the hospital cafeteria.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].