Nurse's Week recognizes dedication of healthcare staff during pandemic
The Chenango County Public Health nursing staff. Nurse's Week begins May 6 and ends on Nurse's Day on May 12. (Photo by Sarah Giglio)
NORWICH — In honor of Nurse's Week, the Chenango County Department of Public Health is taking a moment to show their appreciation for their nursing staff.
Nurse's Week begins on May 6, and ends on Nurse's Day on May 12.
Heather Miller, the Public Health Supervising Community Health Nurse, said nurses have been working especially hard since the start of COVID-19.
"We would like Chenango County residents to know that our public health nurses are dedicated to protecting their community, and have been working tirelessly seven days per week since April 2020, conducting positive COVID investigations, contact tracing, and later vaccinating, all in addition to maintaining work in their regular programs," said Miller.
The Public Health Director of Patient Services Barb Ryan said that to her, Nurse's Day is all about reflection.
"Nurse's Day to me is a time to reflect on why maybe you, or the person, became a nurse and to reflect on, you know especially for us this past year, working during a pandemic," said Ryan.
To thank their staff, Ryan explained that the Public Health office set out breakfast food for the nurses to enjoy.
"They'll get their breakfast and then probably head back to their station and work on contact tracing," said Ryan, emphasizing the consistent work these nurses put in.
Ryan stated that the COVID numbers for Chenango County have been relatively steady. However, she also stated that in January the county had a significant peak in numbers. At it's worst, Chenango County had 50 new positive COVID cases in a single day, according to Ryan.
She emphasized that this number only accounts for positive COVID tests, and does not include all of the people the patient came in contact with.
Ryan also addressed the toll COVID has taken on those in the healthcare field.
"COVID has been stressful on everyone, whether you work in healthcare system or not," said Ryan. "The nurses that take these calls- some people in the public, they're upset because maybe they have to quarantine. It's not always easy taking these case investigations."
Luckily, Ryan said that the community has shown tremendous support, which she said means a great deal to the nursing staff.
"We have a bulletin board here of email thank you's, thank you cards, we've received food snacks. Just the words alone of thank you I don't think the public has any idea how much that means to us," Ryan said. Adding, "So we thank the public too for supporting us and working along with us, because it truly takes the whole community to help get us through this pandemic."
Nurse's Week has also reached UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital. CMH Spokesperson Melissa Stagnaro said in addition to Nurse's Week, UHS will also be celebrating Hospital Week, which runs from May 6 to May 15.
"We use the opportunity to recognize all of our caregivers throughout the week, and shower our nurses with love on the 12th," said Stagnaro.
Due to the difficulty the pandemic has created for nurses, it is important to Ryan to recognize the hard work they've done.
"They've embraced it and they've persevered, so Nurse's Day is really about recognizing our nurses," said Ryan. "It's been hard on all of our families the past year. I don't think people realize the sacrifices we have made."
Miller agrees, stating she doesn't want the effort of Chenango County nurses to go unnoticed.
"We wanted to really take Nurse's Day and use it as an opportunity to recognize how special Chenango County Public Health nurses are," said Miller. "In recognizing our nurses we want the county residents to know our Public Health nurses are dedicated to protecting our community."
Nurse's Week begins on May 6, and ends on Nurse's Day on May 12.
Heather Miller, the Public Health Supervising Community Health Nurse, said nurses have been working especially hard since the start of COVID-19.
"We would like Chenango County residents to know that our public health nurses are dedicated to protecting their community, and have been working tirelessly seven days per week since April 2020, conducting positive COVID investigations, contact tracing, and later vaccinating, all in addition to maintaining work in their regular programs," said Miller.
The Public Health Director of Patient Services Barb Ryan said that to her, Nurse's Day is all about reflection.
"Nurse's Day to me is a time to reflect on why maybe you, or the person, became a nurse and to reflect on, you know especially for us this past year, working during a pandemic," said Ryan.
To thank their staff, Ryan explained that the Public Health office set out breakfast food for the nurses to enjoy.
"They'll get their breakfast and then probably head back to their station and work on contact tracing," said Ryan, emphasizing the consistent work these nurses put in.
Ryan stated that the COVID numbers for Chenango County have been relatively steady. However, she also stated that in January the county had a significant peak in numbers. At it's worst, Chenango County had 50 new positive COVID cases in a single day, according to Ryan.
She emphasized that this number only accounts for positive COVID tests, and does not include all of the people the patient came in contact with.
Ryan also addressed the toll COVID has taken on those in the healthcare field.
"COVID has been stressful on everyone, whether you work in healthcare system or not," said Ryan. "The nurses that take these calls- some people in the public, they're upset because maybe they have to quarantine. It's not always easy taking these case investigations."
Luckily, Ryan said that the community has shown tremendous support, which she said means a great deal to the nursing staff.
"We have a bulletin board here of email thank you's, thank you cards, we've received food snacks. Just the words alone of thank you I don't think the public has any idea how much that means to us," Ryan said. Adding, "So we thank the public too for supporting us and working along with us, because it truly takes the whole community to help get us through this pandemic."
Nurse's Week has also reached UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital. CMH Spokesperson Melissa Stagnaro said in addition to Nurse's Week, UHS will also be celebrating Hospital Week, which runs from May 6 to May 15.
"We use the opportunity to recognize all of our caregivers throughout the week, and shower our nurses with love on the 12th," said Stagnaro.
Due to the difficulty the pandemic has created for nurses, it is important to Ryan to recognize the hard work they've done.
"They've embraced it and they've persevered, so Nurse's Day is really about recognizing our nurses," said Ryan. "It's been hard on all of our families the past year. I don't think people realize the sacrifices we have made."
Miller agrees, stating she doesn't want the effort of Chenango County nurses to go unnoticed.
"We wanted to really take Nurse's Day and use it as an opportunity to recognize how special Chenango County Public Health nurses are," said Miller. "In recognizing our nurses we want the county residents to know our Public Health nurses are dedicated to protecting our community."
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