Thanks for caring

30,000 AHS nurses share desire to help Albertans

Nursing is a profession but it is also a calling.

May 10-16 is Nursing Week, a time to recognize and celebrate the work of this caring profession in all its many roles and areas of practice.

“Alberta Health Services (AHS) nurses are and will always be an essential part of the health and hospital workforce,” says Dr. Stephen Duckett, AHS president and chief executive officer.

Every day in AHS, about 24,600 registered nurses, 4,800 licensed practical nurses and 840 registered psychiatric nurses see to the physical and mental health of Albertans and make positive differences in their lives. These nurses work with numerous direct care providers and, collectively, this team is essential to the delivery of patient-centred care in AHS.

Nurses work in numerous environments across the province, including emergency rooms, schools, homeless shelters, addiction centres, public health clinics, long-term care facilities, correctional settings and in people’s homes.

Their jobs are complex and no day is ever the same. They are skilled professionals, caregivers, mentors and researchers for whom patient care is paramount.

Those who devote their skills, strengths and interests to working in this area of health care are special individuals. While they may have different reasons for why they are drawn to nursing, they share a common desire to help and to care for people.

“Nurses are always up to whatever challenge their profession might throw their way. Situations and responsibilities that might seem extraordinary are just part of a normal day to this diverse group,” says Andrea Robertson, senior vice-president, chief health professions officer and chief nursing officer, Health Professions, Strategy and Practice.

“This is just what nurses do.”

Other health-care professionals also recognize the value nurses contribute to patient care.

“Nurses and physicians are one of the most successful and important collaborations of our society,” says Dr. David Megran, AHS senior physician executive.

“On behalf of physicians, I express gratitude and admiration for all that nurses do and have accomplished. Physicians look forward to an enhanced and novel partnership with our nursing colleagues, as together we strive to improve the health and health care of our citizens.”