When Florence Nightingale began nursing patients in the mid 1800’s, she was joined by a team of fewer than 40 women all of whom she had trained herself. Credited with establishing the nursing profession, the seed she planted has grown exponentially across many specialty care areas. Today it is estimated that there are about 29 million nurses across the globe, with nearly four million in the US alone.

International Nurses Week from May 6-12^th is dedicated to honoring those men and women who put their patients first with International Nurses Day May 12^th, Florence Nightingale’s birthday.

Nurses are caregivers, scientists, technical specialists, ministers and healers who work with their heads, hands and hearts – and they do it 24/7/365. They are special people with skills extending far beyond bedpans and blood pressure cuffs. In the course of a shift, a nurse is responsible for administering medications and managing IVs as well as observing and monitoring patients’ conditions, maintaining electronic and traditional records, and communicating with doctors, patients and patients’ families. They are the first line in the fight for healing and total health.

Wound care nurses bring specific skills to the bedside. They are responsible to assess and evaluate a patient’s complete condition and then assess and evaluate acute and chronic wounds, obtain cultures, evaluate how other presenting illnesses impact the wound. They initiate the care to manage the wound, coordinate with other caregivers, and educate and counsel the patients and their families on wound care and self-management of the wound.

Florence Nightingale’s initial nursing assignment along with her team was to provide wound care to British soldiers injured in combat during the Crimean War. She described it as the most challenging of her life. Working in horrific conditions, she treated wounds while working to improving sanitary conditions, food and nutritional needs, and establishing a library to stimulate intellect.  

It is the model of modern day nursing to treat the whole patient with nurses ministering to the mind, body and spirit of patients and their loved ones. The nursing profession continues to evolve as all nurses, including those in wound care, work to advance and improve patient care. AAWC salutes all nurses for their selfless service to their patients.