The Levy Library Blog

National Nurses Day 2020: Thank You, Nurses!

Chelsea Rein, Librarian for Phillips School of Nursing at Beth Israel

I wanted to sit down and write a small blog post to celebrate this National Nurses Week in 2020, to list all the reasons why nurses are some of my favorite people in the world, and to write about Florence Nightingale and the history of this week. However, there are simply not enough words for the work nurses are doing right now. For the time, effort, and care they are putting into their patients every shift. So instead, I will simply try my best to express my gratitude and appreciation towards this profession. Today, I received a broadcast notification email from Dr. Vicki LoPachin, our Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, that sums up what I feel about my nursing colleagues and students. Even before Covid-19 ravaged our city, nurses were the ones making us feel safe and cared for through every routine procedure, annual appointment, or nerve-wracking hospital stay. They are the ones first to help, hold a hand, and give reassurance and calm when we feel overwhelmed and scared in all medical settings. Nurses are always there when you need them.

Dr. LoPachin wrote that “in the sound of your voices, our patients find reassurance and safety. Into your eyes, they peer for strength when they need it most. And to your hearts, they develop a connection through the fundamental, intrinsically human reality that in their darkest, most desperate moments, you can be trusted with their very lives.” That right there is what nurses provide. The very essence of their work is their vital role in patient care, providing the most necessary attention and human connection to patients when they need it the most.

This National Nurses Week, I want to celebrate all nurses’ dedication and commitment to their patients and their profession, and thank and recognize my team at the Phillips School of Nursing and every nurse across the Mount Sinai Health System for their unwavering bravery, fortitude, and empathy. Every time I see a nurse here, I am reminded how lucky I am to work with nursing students every day, helping these future nurses that will one day be on the front lines in healthcare.

And as we recognize our teams during National Nurses Week, It’s my greatest privilege to be your colleague. Thank you. Thank you all so much for your service to New York City, Mount Sinai, and our community. We are so lucky to have you.

Click here for more information on librarian services at PSON