Floyd Valley Healthcare has more than 200 nurses to provide aid, care and comfort to its patients, and are honored this week during “National Nurses Week.”
(Le Mars) — Today, (Wednesday) is the start of National Nurses Week, and today is considered as National Nurses Day. Lorrie Mortensen is the Director of Nursing at Floyd Valley Healthcare in Le Mars. She says this week is recognized as the time we honor the nation’s nurses because of Florence Nightingale’s birthday. Nightingale was a nurse during the Crimean War and offered aid and comfort to wounded and ill soldiers on both sides. Mortensen
talks about the number of nurses employed at Floyd Valley Healthcare.
Mortensen says there are many different aspects of nursing that extend from surgical units to trauma, to intensive care to pediatrics, and more. She says nurses are the ones that provide round the clock care.
Mortensen says she often refers to a quotation heard about the importance of nursing when discussing the nursing profession with others.
The director of nursing says it is the nurse that constantly is in contact with the patient and offering comfort and aid to patients. Mortensen says she had the privilege when first beginning her nursing career to work side by side with Dr. Donald Faber.
Mortensen offers several examples of how the nurses carry on after the doctor’s visit.
Since the start of the COVID-19 virus pandemic, nurses have been working longer hours and are on the front lines of the virus. Mortensen says the coronavirus has interrupted everyone’s lives, including the nursing staff.
(photos contributed.)
