This year, the event runs from May 11 to 17 in Canada
This week is National Nursing Week in Canada; the event occurs every year from the Monday to the Sunday of Florence Nightingale’s birthday (which is on May 12). Every year has a theme, this year it is ‘Nurses: A Voice to Lead – Nursing the World to Health’. The theme was developed by the International Council of Nurses (ICN) to highlight how nurses are central to handling a wide range of health-related challenges.
At the start of the week, PM Trudeau said: "The unwavering dedication nurses show to patients and our communities is inspiring to all of us, and will help get us through this pandemic. I hope all Canadians will join me today and throughout this week to express our deepest gratitude for their tireless work. Let's all take the opportunity this week to thank a nurse in our lives for taking such good care of us."
This year is especially meaningful due to the current pandemic and the tireless efforts essential healthcare workers are making in the fight against COVID-19. Furthermore, the World Health Organization (WHO) has previously designated 2020 as the Year of the Nurse and Midwife in honour of the 200th anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth.
Lawrence MacAulay, minister of veterans affairs and associate minister of national defence, said in a statement: “As the world faces the COVID-19 outbreak, this theme is timely as it reflects the essential role of nurses in combating coronavirus disease. During this time, it is important that we thank them for their vital work on the frontlines of the pandemic."
In a separate statement, Unifor National President Jerry Dias said: "Nurses across the country need our support and solidarity amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Nurses, along with all health care workers, are on the front line, battling the deadly virus each day.”
Lastly, in another joint statement, Marc Miller (minister of indigenous services), Carolyn Bennett (minister of crown-indigenous relations) and Daniel Vandal (minister of northern affairs) said: “Nurses working in Indigenous communities continue to demonstrate their selfless dedication to ensure First Nations and Inuit receive the highest quality of culturally appropriate care, testing and treatment. We also thank the First Nations, Inuit and Métis nurses practising in various settings in Canada, caring for patients while working to promote and provide culturally-safe healthcare.”
To celebrate whilst respected current social distancing guidance, the Canadian Nurses Association has encouraged participants to host virtual events and share on social media using the hashtags #CNA2020 #IND2020 #Nurses2020 #NationalNursingWeek #SupportNursesandMidwives #YearoftheNurseandMidwife and #YearoftheNurse.
