Nurses wanted to form McKean Co. Honor Guard
Calling all nurses! The newly formed McKean County Nurse Honor Guard is looking for members to help honor fellow practitioners.
Those interested can learn more during a recruitment session to be held 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at The Pavilion at Bradford Regional Medical Center. Members will be on hand to answer questions about the organization. A brief, informative video will also be shown.
The Nurse Honor Guard is a national organization that honors licensed professional nurses, registered nurses and nurse practitioners who have spent their lives serving others. Guard members show up in uniform to perform a brief ceremony during funeral or memorial services for fellow nurses.
Organizer Karen Prosser likened it to the services performed at a military veteran’s funeral.
“Kind of like how if someone passes away who was a member of the military there is a group of servicemen and women who come and do a service at their funeral,” said Prosser. “We do something kind of like that but for nurses.”
Members of the guard dress in the traditional white nurse uniform with cape and cap. The brief ceremony takes around five minutes. Guard members carry a lighted Nightingale lamp and recite the Nightingale Tribute while laying a white rose on the casket or near the urn. The rose symbolizes the nurse’s dedication to caring for and serving others. Next, the nurse’s name is called three times and a bell or triangle is rung after each name call. Finally, words are spoken to the effect that the nurse is officially released from his or her duties. The lamp is extinguished and presented to the family members along with condolences.
The newly formed McKean County chapter of the guard needs every hand on deck, to ensure that all funerals and memorial services have guard members available.
“We have so many dedicated nurses in this area who selflessly serve others,” said Prosser. “We want to do this for them to make sure that their hard work is recognized.”
Prosser asks that all LPN, RN and nurse practitioners consider joining the organization to honor their fellow nurses. Those who are unable to attend the event but are interested in joining should contact Robin Yasurek at (814) 594-8259.
