May Proclaimed Nurses Month

On April 29, 2020, Governor Jay Inslee designated the month of May 2020 as Nurses Month. Inslee said, “I encourage all people in our state to join me in honoring the nurses of Washington, especially recog­nizing the critical and live-saving role that regis­tered nurses have filled around our state, country, and world through the current coron­avirus pandemic.” This further recognizes the increasing support for your critical roles in the healthcare system, community, and in combating the COVID-19 pandemic. This means self-care and compassion is priority! Visit the WCN page to see how UWB BSN graduate Stefan Torres provides a month of self-care videos showcased on their web page this month.

Message of recognition from the UW Bothell Nursing Leadership:

Dear UW Bothell Nursing Students,

Happy Nurses Week and beyond! We are living in unprecedented times during the COVID-19 pandemic, and as always, Nurses are leading the way in policy, practice, research, and advocacy efforts to protect and advance health. Not only is it the beginning of National Nurses Week, but it is also the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife!

During this week, we pause and take special care to recognize the broad array of work that Nurses do, raise the visibility of the profession and educate the public about the incredible everyday difference that Nurses make. On behalf of all in our community, we want to recognize and thank you for your dedicated and compassionate contributions to advancing the health of diverse communities regionally, nationally and globally!

Despite the incredible challenges that we are all currently facing, we know that you are focused in your attention on advancing health and well-being of patients, families, and populations. We are grateful that you have trusted us with your education and know that by committing to your UWB education, each of you demonstrates a commitment to building leadership for and advancing the profession. Now more than ever, Nursing needs leaders who understand the health care system and its surrounding sociocultural environment. We need those who have the courage to advocate for making health care institutions more responsive to the needs of marginalized communities and ensuring that we are all more engaged in addressing the social determinants of health.
Your work with us creates important impacts by leveraging your and our scientific knowledge, cumulative wisdom and professional relationships in the field, and we all realize that we cannot do this without the comprehensive support of the communities around us. This year in particular, we hope that you practice extra self-care and that you are attentive to your emotional and physical well-being. We also hope that you are encouraging yourself, colleagues and friends to engage in healthy activities.

A heartfelt “Thank You” from all of us in the School of Nursing & Health Studies. We applaud your dedication and excellence. We hope that you have a wonderful week! Stay tuned to hear more about the activities we have planned in the School of Nursing and Health Studies in recognition of the profession, your work, and faculty’s work during the 2020 International Year of the Nurse and Midwife!

Sincerely,
Shari L. Dworkin, PhD. D., M.S.
Dean and Professor

Selina Mohammed, PhD., MPH, MSN, RN
Professor and Associate Dean

Jamie L. Shirley, PhD., RN
Senior Lecturer and Director of Nursing