Nursing Schools Celebrates National Nurses Week May 612



May 6, 2005 -- The work of America's 2.7 million registered nurses to save lives and to maintain the health of millions of individuals is the focus of this year's National Nurses Week, celebrated annually May 6-12 throughout the United States.

Joining in the celebration are the creators of Nursing Schools, http://www.nursing-school.org/, an educational website featuring nursing school listings, degree programs, medical field information, and career outlook for prospective and continuing education nurses.

"Nurses: Many Roles, One Profession" is the theme for 2005. National Nurses Week opens on May 6, the traditional National Nurses Day, and is supported heavily by the American Nurses Association (ANA), in conjunction with its Constituent State Nurses Associations.

National Nurses Week begins on May 6, marked as RN Recognition Day, and ends on May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, founder of nursing as a modern profession. During mid-celebration, on May 8, National Student Nurses Day is commemorated.

"It's a perfect time to encourage student nurses you know," says Emily Ostendorf, site manager for Nursing Schools. "Take the time on May 8th to let young men and women entering the nursing field that you appreciate and admire the contribution they're making to society."

Traditionally, National Nurses Week is devoted to highlighting the diverse ways in which registered nurses, the largest health care profession, are working to improve health care. From bedside nursing in hospitals and long-term care facilities to the halls of research institutions, state legislatures, and Congress, the depth and breadth of the nursing profession is meeting the expanding health care needs of American society.

"With a nursing shortage still impacting the country, National Nurses Week is also a great time to introduce young people to the possibility of a medical career," says Ostendorf, of Nursing Schools. "We're dedicated to helping students decide if nursing is a good fit for them and connecting them to the best resources when they decide 'yes'."

Visit http://www.nursing-school.org/ to learn more about becoming a nurse, including:

- Information about 16 accredited schools with campuses nationwide
- Descriptions of more than a dozen programs leading to diplomas, certificates, associate degrees, bachelor degrees, or master's degrees in specific areas of nursing
- Information about 15 nursing careers, including registered nursing, practical nursing, forensic nursing, pediatric nursing, geriatric nursing, neonatal nursing, psychiatric nursing
- Information about 7 other related medical careers
- Career information, including salary ranges, job outlooks, and personality profiles
- Feature articles, including interviews and content about continuing education opportunities, nursing school accreditation, men in nursing, the nursing shortage, home nursing, travel nursing, worldwide relief nursing, and financial aid





Nursing Schools Celebrates National Nurses Week May 612