This week is designated as National Nurses Week in the United States.

First celebrated in 1954, the week was officially set aside by President Ronald Reagan in the 1980s to honor the profession.

When one has the misfortune to end up in a hospital or emergency room, he or she can quickly see the many roles nurses play in the medical profession, from tending to patients in their care, performing physical exams, caring for wounds and injuries, administering medications and prepping people for surgery.

However, nurses’ duties are not limited to this. They serve as educators in medical facilities, often explaining procedures and policies to patients, while employing a bedside manner and acting as a counselor who makes a hospitalization less traumatic. It is through this that they work to build trust between the patients and the medical community.

Nurses’ shifts require much multitasking, with them often working 12 hours or so on their feet in a high-stress environment.

There is always a need for more in the profession and, thankfully, institutions like Collins Career Technical Center and Ohio University offer nursing programs to meet this demand.

This week, we hope you join us in appreciating those in the profession and those who are working toward joining it and continuing to provide care.