Nurses Week 2013: American Nurses Association Celebrates Medical Workforce

It's important to remember how much love and support those in the medical profession give to those they help. As Nurses' Week begins this year, everyone should remember and honor those in the nursing profession, in particular, during this week-long celebration, created by the American Nurses Association.

Included in National Nurses Week, National School Nurse Day and National Student Nurses Day will be celebrated on Wednesday May 8. The week between May 6 and May 12 was designated National Nurses Week beginning in 1994.

The celebration ends on May 12, as it is the birthday of Florence Nightengale. Historically, Nightengale has been honored as the founder of the modern nursing profession.

The e-book titled End of Shift: A Treasury of Real Stories by Real Nurses has been released in honor of the week, according to Nurse.com. The electronic book is available in PDF and e-reader formats this week.

As reported by PRWeb.com, the book contains a collection of 30 stories, written by nurses. The stories offer an inspiring and realistic look into the world of nursing. The purpose of the book is not only to inspire, it is hoped that it will lead to a better understanding of nursing professionals.

During this time, we're reminded just how important nursing professionals are in the world. In fact, they are one of the largest professional workers nationwide.

Unfortunately, there are frequently nurse shortages across the country, with problems stemming from several factors: waiting lists on nursing schools, hiring freezes, economic hardships, and a growing population that is in need of extended care.

As reported by MLive, Michigan is one of the states facing an ongoing shortage of nurses. A survey, conducted in 2010. revealed that up to one third of Michigan's nurses are nearing retirement age. This has caused fears that the shortage will only increase in the coming years.

Educational facilities that train nurses are also experiencing an incredibly high shortage. According to a 2011 survey, it was revealed that over 40 percent of nursing instructors were nearing retirement age. 

By 2020, the number of US residents over the age of 65 is expected to grow by 15 million. The demand for nurses is expected to steadily increase over the next three decades.

Nurses work in schools, nursing home, hospitals, and in numerous other industries and institutions. As we celebrate Nurses Week 2013, we honor those who work hard, often with few resources and little rest, to help us maintain out health.