Seven things you may not know about nurses
May is National Nurses Month - and really, could it come at a better time? Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses and other health care professionals have served on the front lines, risking their health for the health of others.
Of the more than 1.1 million Americans who've been infected by COVID-19, more than 9,200 are health care workers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some are working without adequate personal protection equipment, or PPE, a terrifying thought.
Beyond their health care duties, hospital nurses are bridging the gap between patients and their families who can't be with them. They're keeping families updated, facilitating video calls and, heartbreakingly, holding the hands of dying patients because their loved ones can't.
In short, nurses have emerged as one of the superheroes of COVID-19. They deserve respect. With that in mind, did you know …
• Nursing has been the No. 1 most-trusted profession for 18 years straight, according to Gallup.
• Nursing is an ancient profession. The earliest known nursing school dates back to 250 B.C. India (when all nurses were male, by the way). The Roman Empire was staffing hospitals with doctors and nurses in 300 A.D.
• Before COVID-19 descended, the World Health Organization dubbed 2020 the Year of the Nurse, in honor of Florence Nightingale's 200th birthday.
• Speaking of which, Florence Nightingale is considered the founder of modern nursing and is credited for transforming hospital sanitation standards.
• Hospital nurses typically walk 4 to 5 miles every shift, double what most Americans walk daily. Nurses have stamina!
• Although there are 3.1 million nurses in the U.S., demand is growing. The average annual salary is $73,300, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• There are three ways to become a registered nurse: by earning an associate degree in nursing, a diploma from an approved nursing program, or a bachelor's degree in nursing. RNs must also be licensed by the state where they work.
Nursing is a calling
While nursing is a great profession, it's also a heartfelt calling. Personally, it's all I ever wanted to be. Like many nurses, I was nurturing orphaned kittens and baby birds from the time I was a child (in addition to caring for eight younger siblings).
I made the decision to go to nursing school early in high school, inspired by my Aunt Jeanne, who was director of nursing at a university hospital. As someone who served as an ICU nurse for 39 years before becoming an RN advocate, I can attest: helping sick people heal is one of the most fulfilling experiences there is.
Honoring nurses
The best way to honor nurses now is to follow COVID-19 safety guidelines: stay home when you can, wear a mask when you can't, and practice social distancing. Don't spread the virus!
In addition, support local businesses and charities helping health care workers. For example, one of my favorite Libertyville restaurants is raising and matching funds to provide meals for hospital staff - even though their own business is suffering.
All of us can play a role. If you're not on the front lines, you can still support those who are.
• Teri Dreher is a board-certified patient advocate. A critical care nurse for more than 30 years, she recently founded Seniors Alone Guardianship & Advocacy Services (SeniorsAlone.org), a not-for-profit organization that serves the area's senior orphans. She also is the founder of NShore Patient Advocates, www.northshorern.com.