This year, more than ever, thank a nurse

May 6, 2020

student giving someone an immunization — *A student at the College of Nursing in Yakima gives an immunization at a community health fair.*

If 2020 wasn’t already the Year of the Nurse, it would be now.

The World Health Organization had christened this the “Year of the Nurse and Midwife” in honor of the 200th anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth.

Then the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, testing nurses worldwide in a generation-defining event.

As millions of people shelter in place, nurses are in hospitals and clinics facing the emergency head-on. They’re triaging, treating, celebrating and mourning their patients.

Today is the beginning of Nurses Week. This year, more than ever, we say “thank you nurses.”

Washington State University acknowledges that its locations statewide are on the homelands of Native peoples, who have lived in this region from time immemorial. Currently, there are 42 tribes, 35 of which are federally recognized that share traditional homelands and waterways in what is now Washington State. Some of these are nations and confederacies that represents multiple tribes and bands. The University expresses its deepest respect for and gratitude towards these original and current caretakers of the region. As an academic community, we acknowledge our responsibility to establish and maintain relationships with these tribes and Native peoples, in support of tribal sovereignty and the inclusion of their voices in teaching, research and programming. Washington State University established the Office of Tribal Relations and Native American Programs to guide us in our relationship with tribes and service to Native American students and communities. We also pledge that these relationships will consist of mutual trust, respect, and reciprocity.

WSU's land acknowledgement

This year, more than ever, thank a nurse

Prioritizing Nursing Well Being to Strengthen the Workforce

WSU Spokane Commencement

SANE 2-Day Clinical Skills Training – Spokane

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Orientation

SANE 2-Day Clinical Skills Training – Spokane

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