World Health Day: Nurses/Midwives, Our Heroes

In 1948, the World Health Organization created World Health Day to bring to light issues of health and those behind our healthcare. This year they recognize Nurses and Midwives. With CoVid-19 circulating the globe I can't help but call our nurses and midwives heroes.

"Not all angels have wings...some have scrubs." ~ Unknown

Heroes on the Front Line Wearing Scrubs #SupportNursesandMidwives

We all know what a tough time, enduring CoVid-19 from with being quarantined, having it or losing someone to it. It has affected us all, so to see that today is World Health Day and their focus are nurses and midwives, it makes you want to stand up ad cheer them on. Let’s face it at some point or another we have been around a nurse, know a nurse or married to one. Sometimes we may have even mistreated a nurse during our pains. I know when I was in labor with my last child, I was anything but nice to her and later apologized because I let my pain get the best of me. She just smiled and said it was ok she understood how painful labor can be and was happy we brought a beautiful healthy girl into this world. So not just today but everyday we need to thank a nurse or midwife every time we see them.

Nurses are the Backbone

The World Health Organization recognizes that nurses are the backbone of any health system yet have showed staggering numbers creating a shortfall in Asia, Africa, Middle East and Latin countries, where most of our population resides. So not only do we need to thank the backbone of our health system we need to bring to light ways to increase interest in this field. We all know nurses who say they are worked to the bone with little support and then we see nurses who love what they do every minute. While we cannot control the inner working of a hospital or clinic, we can show our utmost support for them and gratitude for what they do. Maybe now after CoVid-19 politicians and even management level healthcare workers will see the true honest value of nurses and provide better support to our backbone of healthcare.

Nurses and Midwives Unite

Many nurses and midwives are female but there is a growing presence of males as well. Midwives are making a comeback as more and more people are seeking a professional that can walk every step of the way with them during their pregnancy. Midwives are trained and certified in all areas from checkups, prenatal counseling and delivery at home or in the hospital. While we also don’t want to forget the labor and delivery nurses, they all play a part and together they are a team of undeniable knowledge, love and support for a birthing mom. Midwives are trained on levels such as nurses and the highest certification of a midwife is a Certified Nurse Midwife. Together nurses and midwives are trying to provide care and safety during a pandemic that affects everyone, even infants.

#SupportNursesandMidwives

We live in a very scary time and for most of us this is new territory dealing with a pandemic that is shuttering us in our homes. Now think of those nurses and midwives who leave their husband, wife, kids and family at home while they face the pandemic face to face. There have been over 100 nurses and doctors who have died while fighting this virus on the frontline. They work endless hours to care for patients who have the virus and see many more who think they have the virus. They work with lack of supplies and try to make their own masks when they do run short. We can clearly see this is not effective, but they must go to work. One way we can support nurses is buy making masks and distributing them to local hospitals and I have seen many of my friends on Facebook doing just that. For those who can’t sew or do not have the means, offer help in other ways. If you are very close with a nurse offer to keep their child at your house for at least 14 days while they work with minimal contact so that they don’t have to worry about their child contracting this virus. Stay in your cars and support the nurses leaving work by honking horns or placing signs of encouragement outside hospitals and medical facilities. Donate coffee, energy drinks, donuts, premade lunches to your local hospital. Not all nurses have time to hit the cafeteria to grab lunch. Some quick healthy snacks may be extremely useful and needed. Reach out to your nurse friends ask them what you can do to help. I know it is hard being quarantined at home to do much, but we must try anyway we can. Today if you see a nurse post something on Facebook recognize them with the #SuporrtNursesandMidvies. It may not seem like a lot but could bring them a smile or give them an extra boost to get through the day!