Every day, the nurses at the Florida Department of Health in Seminole County lead the way for their patients, community, colleagues, and partnering organizations. Nurses step forward in making a difference in protecting the health of families, resolving emerging issues, and accepting ever-changing roles in their profession.
National Nurses Week is celebrated from May 6-12, an annual opportunity for communities to recognize the full range of nurses’ contributions. This year’s theme is Nurses Leading the Way. Patients often recognize that a nurse is the health care professional with whom they and their families have the most direct contact. But they might not realize that nurses also are leaders in improving the quality of care and expanding access to care.
“This week, we acknowledge the pivotal contributions that nurses provide and their role in improving healthcare and ultimately, the health of our citizens here in Seminole County,” said Dr. Swannie Jett, Health Officer of the Florida Department of Health in Seminole County.
The Department of Health in Seminole County, partners with physicians daily to ensure quality care is provided to the clients. Nurses are active in monthly life-long learning opportunities through on-line or live seminars. The nurses huddle daily to think of “new ways” to conduct business. Partnership with the community is also very important to identify, assess, implement and evaluate services provided.
“I would like to thank our nurses for all they do each and every day to ensure our community receives quality care and excellent patient outcomes. It is an absolute pleasure working in an environment where nurses not only care for the clients they serve, but the community at large.” said Sarah Alvarez Wright, Executive Community Health Nursing Director for the Florida Department of Health in Seminole County.
For the past 12 years, the public has ranked nursing as the top profession for honesty and ethics in an annual Gallup survey.  With more than 3 million members, the nursing profession is the largest group providing direct hands on patient care. Wherever health care is provided, a nurse is likely to be there — hospitals, ambulatory care centers, private practices, retail and urgent care clinics, nurse-managed health centers, homes, schools, nursing homes, and public and nonprofit agencies.
Increasingly, nurses with advanced degrees, such as nurse practitioners, are providing primary care services and managing chronic illnesses. Studies show patients are highly satisfied with their services and are experiencing outcomes comparable to those of physician services.
