Celebrating nurses with words and actions
How did you spend National Nurses Week? I asked this question of nurses who work in my organization, the University of North Texas Health Science Center. I found the responses inspirational and motivating.
- Cindy Weston, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, CHSE, FNAP,FAANP, FAAN, founding dean and professor of the College of Nursing: “Self-care and recharging is always a priority, but I also like to reflect on the privilege of serving patients, families, and communities as well as remembering the ones I will always carry with me. Why is it important that we celebrate the achievements of all nurses in so many settings? Nurses are the backbone of the healthcare system. Nurses’ week is an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of nurses practicing in all settings—hospitals, clinics, communities, home health, schools, industries, and occupational settings.
- Nurse practitioner Kate Taylor, DNP, FNP-C, CPPS, FNAP, assistant dean of clinical and outreach affairs: “I spent the week reflecting on 27 years of nursing—the growth, the gratitude, and the unforgettable patients who’ve left their mark. I’ll always carry the memory of an 8-year-old oncology patient I met during my ROTC nursing camp. His trust in me and the connection we shared remind me why I’m drawn to this profession and why I keep striving to make a difference. As a nurse dedicated to learning, teaching, and growing, I believe it’s important to celebrate nurses, the most trusted healthcare profession, because we lead with compassion and impact in every corner of healthcare.”
I spent time recognizing the team I work with. Expressing gratitude contributes to positive emotions and serves as a powerful way to say thank you—to appreciate another’s kindness and selflessness. Studies have linked gratitude with well-being and mental health, contributing to resilience and happiness. Read more about gratitude at myamericannurse.com/a-new-sense-of-gratitude.
The 2025 National Nurses Week Toolkit (nursingworld.org/ana-enterprise/nurses-week) offered several helpful ideas, which you can implement throughout the rest of the year. For example, the resources section includes a customizable Certificate of Appreciation.
Celebrating and honoring each other promotes the profession both organizationally and across the communities we serve. I’m always inspired by the words and actions of so many—humbling reminders of who we are and what we do. Let me know how you celebrated nurses week. Share your inspiration!
American Nurse Journal. 2025; 20(5). Doi: 10.51256/ANJ052504
Lillee Gelinas, DNP, RN, CPPS, FAAN
Editor-in-Chief
Read Lillee Gelinas’s tribute to Loressa Cole, former CEO of the American Nurses Enterprise, at bit.ly/4iqe8h6.
