UR School of Nursing Joins in Worldwide Celebration of Year of the Nurse and Midwife
By Marianne Benjamin
Monday, January 13, 2020
The World Health Organization (WHO) is designating 2020 as The Year of the Nurse and Midwife, and the University of Rochester School of Nursing is playing a leading role as the UR Medical Center and its affiliate hospital make plans to honor nurses and midwives throughout the year. The celebration is being held in conjunction with the 200th birthday of Florence Nightingale.
According to the WHO, the world needs 9 million more nurses and midwives if it is to achieve universal health coverage by 2030. WHO and partners including, the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM), International Council of Nurses (ICN), Nursing Now and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) are collaborating in plans to celebrate the work of nurses and midwives, highlight the challenging conditions they often face, and advocate for increased investments in the nursing and midwifery workforce.
At the UR Medical Center, the Year of the Nurse steering committee, led by Kathy Rideout, EdD, PPCNP-BC, FNAP, dean of the UR School of Nursing, and Karen Davis, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, URMC’s chief nursing executive, has been meeting for several months to plan for the yearlong observance. The goal of the initiative is to show appreciation and increase awareness of the importance of the field.
Davis, Rideout, chief nursing officers from affiliates across the system, and other nursing leaders kicked off the celebration on Jan. 6, distributing “2020 Year of the Nurse and Midwife” buttons at URMC affiliates and facilities including the School of Nursing, Strong Memorial Hospital, Golisano Children’s Hospital, Wilmot Cancer Center, Highland Hospital, Noyes Memorial Hospital, Jones Memorial Hospital, St. James Hospital, and FF Thompson Hospital.
“Nurses are the largest workforce in healthcare and are a critical part of the health care team,” said Davis. “They are special people who are passionate about the work they do. We want to take this opportunity to highlight them and tell their stories.”
“The University of Rochester School of Nursing attracts hundreds of candidates each year, but the field for nursing is still growing so we are committed to expanding our faculty and adding clinical sites,” said Rideout. “We are excited about celebrating the Year of the Nurse and Midwife. It’s the first time ever that global attention has been placed on nursing and midwifery. It’s so important to focus on the vital part we have in health care and learn how we can continue to expand our roles and our impact.”
Stay tuned for more Year of the Nurse and Midwife content and events throughout the year and join the conversation using the hashtag #URnursingYOTN.
Have a favorite nurse? Let us know who it is and why they're worth celebrating by emailing YOTNM2020@URMC.Rochester.edu.