Loyola to Celebrate Nurses Week 2011

MAYWOOD, Ill. -- Loyola University Health System will celebrate Nurses Week from May 2-6. This event takes place each year just prior to May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. The theme for the week, “Nurses Trusted to Care,” reflects the confidence patients place in the hands of nurses. “This week recognizes nurses for demonstrating their commitment to excellence in clinical care, research and education,” said Mary Morrow, PhD, APN, ACNS, BC, director of Nursing Administration and Magnet program director, LUHS. “Loyola nurses give selflessly throughout the year, and Nurses Week provides us with an opportunity to express our gratitude for this dedication.” Loyola will honor its nurses with its long-standing tradition of blessing of the hands. A special Mass will be held at noon Tuesday, May 3, in Loyola University Hospital’s Paul V. Galvin Memorial Chapel. Chaplains will anoint nurses' hands with oil and bless them for continuing to use their hands as instruments of service. The following activities also will take place during the week: • Nurses will highlight historic figures in nursing. • Nurses will display artwork they created to represent the profession. • A Nursing Excellence Awards Ceremony will honor top Loyola nurses. The event also will recognize nurses who are board certified and those who have achieved clinical ladder levels three and four, demonstrating professional growth and development. This event will take place from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 4, in Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine (SSOM), Tobin Hall. A reception will follow. • Nurses will have an opportunity to exercise and receive complimentary chair massages from the Loyola Center for Fitness. • Nurses also will be able to give back through community service opportunities during the week.