At some point in our lives, in one form or another, we will all be touched by the care and compassion of a nurse. That's why during National Nurses Week, May 6th-12th 2008, we in the community have the obligation to spotlight these clinicians who tirelessly work to make a difference every day.

The nursing profession has long been well respected by the public, equaling the efforts of policemen, firemen and teachers. But it wasn't until January of 1974 that the International Council of Nurses (ICN) proclaimed May 12th as "International Nurse Day." A fitting date when you consider it is also the birthday of Florence Nightingale, long held as the pioneer of modern nursing. In that same year of 1974, a week was designated by the White House as National Nurse Week and President Nixon issued a proclamation. That effort continued up until 1990 when The American Nurses Association (ANA) Board of Directors expanded the recognition of nurses to a week-long celebration, declaring May 6 - 12, 1991, as National Nurses Week. The history of this special time is a detailed account of the steadfast determination by many individuals and organizations that felt it was important to have nurses publicly recognized and honored.

Today, the ANA supports and encourages National Nurses Week recognition programs through state and district nurses associations, other specialty nursing organizations, educational facilities, and independent healthcare companies and institutions. Heeding this request, Cross Country Staffing has worked hard over the years to make our Nurses Week Celebration more and more special. This year was our greatest effort yet.

Cross Country Staffing got activities underway a few weeks before the actual start of National Nurses Week when we announced the acceptance of nominations for our 2008 Fellow and inductee into of the Cross Country Staffing Nurses Hall of Fame. Our Hall of Fame was created to recognize those corporate RNs that "go the extra mile" to make contributions, support and enhance our organizational success. The nominations for induction to the Hall was to be were reviewed by a panel of select corporate RNs as well as a member of the CCS Clinical Council who also established the nomination critera. Any member of the Cross Country Staffing organization could nominate a corporate nurse based on criteria established by the Office of the Chief Nursing Officer.

Upon the arrival of National Nurses Week, we had several events that helped raise awareness and stimulate dialogue, including our lobby display of nursing literature and memorabilia, creation of a book providing profiles and corresponding photos of the Cross Country Staffing corporate nurses and a panel discussion in which corporate nurses shared their past nursing experience and fielded questions from fellow colleagues. While all of the week-long celebrations were both enjoyable and educational, it was the closing ceremonies that perfectly captured the spirit and importance of National Nurses Week. On May 12, 2008, Cross Country Staffing was proud to receive a proclamation from the current Mayor of Boca Raton, FL, Susan Whelchel. Immediately following the Mayors presentation, Cross Country announced their 2008 Fellow and inductee into the Cross Country Staffing Nurses Hall of Fame - Bonnie Custen, AS, RN, MLC, CPHRM, LHRM, CLC, CPHA.

As an organization, we wanted to not only recognize and honor all current working nurses, but to also support and encourage the individuals who are working to join the profession. As a result, Cross Country Staffing announced a scholarship to the Christine E. Lynn School of Nursing at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) in the amount of $10,000 in the name of Ms. Custen. We look to make this a standing commitment to FAU and our nursing community in Boca Raton, FL. The awarding of this scholarship will coincide with our biennial induction of a new Fellow into the Cross Country Staffing Nurses Hall of Fame. As an article in the April 2008 issue of The Journal of Nursing Administration (1) indicates: for nurses, it's all about recognition and given their choice, they prefer to be recognized through a professional nursing experience such as continuing education and other learning opportunities.

Thanking a nurse for his or her care and concern should be done anytime the opportunity presents itself, but there really is no better time than National Nurses Week to show a nurse just how much you appreciate their contributions. We eagerly look forward to next year, when once again we will join the entire healthcare community in celebrating the skills, knowledge and compassion of our nation's nurses.