- November 23, 2024
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by: Gretchen Smith
Florida Department of Health-Flagler PIO
During the past year, all employees at the Florida Department of Health in Flagler County have met an unprecedented challenge head on, a global pandemic. Health care workers at every level have been asked to work additional hours and expand their traditional roles to become part of the COVID-19 fight. This is particularly the case for nurses, many of whom worked on the front lines testing and now vaccinating the public.
From May 6 through May 12, DOH-Flagler joins thousands of organizations across the country in celebrating National Nurses Week. The recognition kicks off May 6, National Nurses Day, and ends May 12, the birthdate of celebrated nurse Florence Nightingale. This annual celebration recognizes the critical role nurses perform in our hospitals and for our community. The theme this year, “Exceptional People, Essential Care,” commemorates just how indispensable nurses have been during the COVID-19 pandemic.
From assisting with life-threatening ER crises and delivering babies, to caring for the elderly in their last moments, nurses perform some of the most difficult and heartbreaking tasks in the medical world. National Nurses Week honors their contributions and sacrifices, while reminding us to appreciate the medical professionals who help cure us, and, in some cases, keep us alive.
“We have an outstanding team of public health nurses who provide valuable services to our clinics and clients,” said Bob Snyder, Flagler County Health Department Health Officer. “Led by Bonnie Welter and Mark Linde, these talented professionals have risen to the occasion, particularly with pandemic response. In fact, we’ve had the good fortune of hiring several nurses who came out of retirement to join our vaccination efforts. I am honored to be affiliated with all the caring nurses on our team, and encourage others to join us in celebrating nurses this week."
In the public health setting, nurses work in clinics to provide immunizations, conduct testing for diseases and infections, help people manage chronic conditions like diabetes and asthma and inspire patients to lead healthier lives. In Flagler County, DOH nurses also focus on women’s health, family planning and prenatal services; immunizations for children and adults; communicable disease monitoring treatment and case management (including HIV); diabetes prevention and management; and coordination of school health services.
For the 19th year in a row, the Gallup Poll found that Americans rated nurses as the most trusted, honest and ethical professionals. For more information about becoming a nurse in the State of Florida visit https://www.nursinglicensure.org/state/nursing-license-florida.html.
