Thank a Nurse statewide campaign underway
The Delaware Healthcare Association and its member hospitals, the Delaware Health Care Facilities Association, the Delaware Nurses Association and the Delaware Organization for Nursing Leadership, initiated a month-long Thank a Nurse campaign Oct. 4.
This statewide initiative aims to show Delaware nurses support as they continue to care for patients on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. The effort also encourages the public to get their COVID-19 vaccines as the best way to say thank you for all Delaware nurses do to care for those in the community.
The public is asked to share on social media how nurses have touched their lives and to tag a nurse they want to thank in a social media post using #ThankaNurseDE. Participating organizations will share messages of support this month in social media, blogs, op-eds and through other initiatives.
“Our nurses have been challenged like never before during the COVID-19 pandemic. Every day, nurses have valiantly cared for patients, and your encouragement, support, and understanding are needed now more than ever as we battle this surge. You can help. To prevent serious illness and hospitalization, we can encourage all our friends and neighbors to get the COVID-19 vaccine,” said Dr. David A. Tam, Beebe Healthcare president and CEO.
“For all the nurses out there, no matter where you work: For all of the late nights. For all of the early mornings. For the extended shifts and hours of work. For the dinners you missed with your families. For the homework you weren’t there to help with or the bedtime stories you missed. For answering the phone calls from the hospital when you were home. For being willing to give of yourself no matter the risk. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts,” said Terry Murphy, Bayhealth president and CEO.
There are 27,000 licensed nurses in Delaware. This includes 21,000 registered nurses, 3,100 licensed practical nurses and 2,600 advance practice registered nurses.
According to the American Nurses Association, by 2022, there will be far more registered nurse jobs available than any other profession, at more than 100,000 per year. With more than 500,000 seasoned RNs anticipated to retire by 2022, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the need for 1.1 million new RNs for expansion and replacement of retirees, and to avoid a nursing shortage. Over the past decade, the average age of employed RNs has increased by nearly two years, from 42.7 years in 2000 to 44.6 years in 2010. These factors, combined with an anticipated strengthening of the economy, will create a renewed critical shortage for nurses.
