DuBOIS — May is an important month for hospitals and nurses.

While national and international organizations designate special health-related observances every month, May is the time that health systems across the U.S. celebrate National Nurses Month, National Nurses Week and National Hospital Week.

National Nurses Month/ National Nurses Week Nursing dates back to the mid-1800s when Florence Nightingale helped save lives by creating a caring environment that promoted patient health and wellbeing.

Today, nurses go above and beyond providing patient- and family-centered care while they serve as advocates, educators and counselors.

As the largest group of healthcare professionals in the U.S., the impact of nurses on health and healthcare is unparalleled.

Each year, the American Nurses Association (ANA) observes National Nurses Month from May 1 to 31. Nurses Month provides opportunities to promote understanding and awareness of the profession, encourages young people to consider careers in nursing and recognizes the vast contributions of nurses.

The ANA also has designated May 6 to 12 as National Nurses Week. Held annually since 1954, National Nurses Week was founded by the organization to celebrate the role nurses play in delivering high-quality care to patients around the world. National Nurses Week coincides with the birthday of Florence Nightingale, which falls on May 12. This date serves as a way to honor her contributions to the profession.

“Nursing is a calling. I cannot name another profession that impacts lives in so many ways,” said Heather Franci, chief nursing officer, service line director Heart Center, Lung Center, Brain and Spine and Oncology Services at Penn Highlands Healthcare.

“Today’s nurses are more than caregivers; they are advocates, teachers, critical thinkers, counselors and innovators – all while giving unwavering emotional support.”

There are many different types of nurses with varying levels of education. All nurses complete a rigorous program of extensive education and study and work directly with patients, families and communities using the core values of the nursing process. The nursing profession provides diverse opportunities from bedside nurses, operating rooms and administration to schools and physician offices. Anyone considering a career in nursing should reach out to schools to learn about partnerships with health systems that could help with the cost of their education.

National Hospital Week Hospitals and health systems throughout the U.S. will observe National Hospital Week May 11 to 17, 2025.

Each year, America’s hospitals and health systems care for 32 million people admitted to hospitals, employ 6.3 million people and provide emergency care for 137 million people. Patients and communities rely on the wide range of critical health care services that only hospitals and health systems can provide, including 24/7 emergency and other higher-acuity care.

National Hospital Week is an opportunity to highlight hospitals, health systems and healthcare workers and the innovative ways they are supporting the needs of their community members.

Penn Highlands Healthcare comprises nine hospitals including Penn Highlands Brookville, Penn Highlands Clearfield, Penn Highlands Connellsville, Penn Highlands DuBois, Penn Highlands Elk, Penn Highlands Huntingdon, Penn Highlands Mon Valley, Penn Highlands State College and Penn Highlands Tyrone. The health system employs approximately 6,200 employees in 150-plus locations throughout 26 counties in Pennsylvania that include community medical buildings, outpatient facilities, surgery centers and physician practices.

“Penn Highlands Healthcare values its nurses, physicians, providers and all employees who are committed to patients every day,” representatives said in a press release. “Through their skill, compassion and selflessness, the health system is able to provide high-quality, advanced medicine in the communities it serves.”