Nurses can make a major impact on patients during difficult times.

2020 is designated as the Year of the Nurse and of the Midwife by the World Health Organization. Unfortunately, it's also been the year of the coronavirus pandemic. And so, as it came time for me to write my annual article to commemorate National Nurses Week, I felt a little strange. I admit, I have always been a bit of a Nurses Week curmudgeon.

The 'I Heart Nurses' coffee mugs and trinkets always seemed a little superficial and too light and fluffy to celebrate the truly spectacular things nurses do each and every day. This year, with nurses on the frontlines of the battle against COVID-19, it seems inappropriate to casually salute nurses with a Happy Nurses Week!

Also, in this issue:

feature
National Nurses Week 2020: What Experiences Have Shaped Your Nursing Career?

In recognition of National Nurses Week, four nurse leaders reflect on what has influenced them as nurses.

kaiser health news
California to Widen Pipeline of Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners

Even before the pandemic, California faced a serious shortage of mental health professionals, especially in rural areas.

analysis
What Will Never Be the Same Again in Healthcare?

Trusted advisors share their perspective on what will never be the same again in healthcare as we know it.

One of every four Filipinos in the New York-New Jersey area is employed in the health care industry. With at least 30 worker deaths and many more family members lost to the coronavirus, a community at the epicenter of the pandemic has been left reeling.

analysis
Researcher: Coronavirus Pandemic Increases Risk of Physician Suicide

The pandemic has increased stressors on physicians such as being redeployed to new care settings and anxiety over potential virus exposures.

kaiser health news
Widely Used Surgical Masks are Putting Health Care Workers at Serious Risk

Relying on surgical masks — which are considerably less protective than N95 respirators — is almost certainly fueling illness among frontline health workers.

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I know these are difficult times for everyone. Please know that you and your fellow nurses are in my thoughts. If there is a way HealthLeaders can support you, please let me know at jthew@healthleadersmedia.com or Tweet @jen_NurseEditor.

Jennifer Thew, RN
Senior Editor, Nursing