To the editor:
For generations, nurses have shown an unwavering commitment to patients, their communities and our health care systems. May is National Nurses Month, and we're excited to celebrate the efforts and impact of nurses in our communities and around the world. This year's theme -- "You Make a Difference" -- was selected to encourage nurses, other health professionals, employers, community leaders and the public to recognize and promote the vast contributions and positive impact of America's nurses.
Matthew Fox, Kayla Lucarelli and Loretta Marchetta and I of the Ohio University Eastern nursing faculty, would like to recognize these medical professionals and the incredible work they do for others in the health care industry. We recognize the commitment a nurse has to their profession, the care, support, and treatment they provide to their patients, and the crucial role they play in society.
According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, nursing is the nation's largest health care profession, with more than 3.8 million registered nurses nationwide. The Bureau of Labor also projects that more than 200,000 new registered nurse positions will be created each year through 2026.
Ohio University Eastern is proud to offer a bachelor of science in nursing program in our region and excited to announce that our first cohort of nursing students will graduate this month. We hope our students, who will soon be entering the nursing profession, will reach the same degree of devotion and commitment that they see in those they have worked alongside in local hospitals and healthcare facilities.
Nurses trained at Ohio University have contributed to the local area in important ways, supporting children, families, and communities through their volunteer work with local health departments and practicum internships at WVU Wheeling Hospital and Southeastern Ohio Regional Medical Center. Ohio Eastern's nursing students benefit from a robust network of local partners who provide valuable mentorship and internship opportunities, and we are grateful for their support of our students.
Ohio's BSN major provides its students with a combination of classroom and clinical experiences, essential to preparing graduates for the challenges of complex and changing health care systems. Our nationally recognized School of Nursing is proud to provide expanded educational opportunities to Ohio's Eastern campus to better meet the needs of its students and a growing health care workforce.
Nationally, the need for nursing professionals continues to grow. Our nation is experiencing a nursing shortage, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to attract nurses, especially to rural areas like ours.
We hope that this programmatic offering will assist area health care facilities to attract and employ qualified nurse candidates.
During National Nurses Month and beyond, we urge you to learn more about the profession, thank the nursing professionals in your life, celebrate, honor and support them in their positive, life-affirming work. And if you're interested in pursuing a career in nursing, visit our website at ohio.edu/eastern for more information.
Sarah Davis
Ohio University Eastern