ASHI and MEDIC First Aid Blog

Whether they’re providing emergency or routine care, nurses make a difference in their patients’ lives and in their communities. As part of Nurses Month, we’d like to honor and thank all nurses for the many physical, mental and emotional sacrifices you continuously make.

Many of HSI’s Authorized Training Centers and Instructors are retired or actively working nurses. Their knowledge and experience as nursing professionals are valuable assets to the emergency care training community. We celebrate their commitment to continuing to make their workplaces and communities safer.

Unseen stresses of being a nursing professional

This past year has been tough for everyone, but nurses and other healthcare professionals were faced with unprecedented risks and challenges in the fight against COVID-19.

In the midst of taking care of everyone else, it’s easy for nurses to overlook their own personal health and needs.

Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation (HNHN) is a free nurse wellness program that is open to all. For the first week of Nurse’s Month (May 1-7), it will be hosting five days of inspirational nurse spotlights and wellness tips that focus on activity, rest, nutrition, quality of life and safety. But nurses can use this program to find even more resources and tips year-round to support personal wellness.

Additionally, nurses, employers and the general public are encouraged to participate in other supportive activities during Nurses Month. The American Nurses Association (ANA) has outlined the following weekly focuses:

• Week 2, Recognition. From May 8-14, raise the visibility of the critical work nurses do by honoring nurse heroes, innovators and leaders.

• Week 3, Professional Development. From May 15-21, take advantage of professional development opportunities, such as the free Nurses Month Webinar scheduled for May 19.

• Week 4, Community Engagement. From May 22-29, help promote nurses’ invaluable contributions by engaging virtually or in-person with your community, educating them on what nurses do, and encouraging them to support current and future nurses.

If you’re interested in participating in recognition and community engagement activities, explore the Nurses Month Toolkit for a variety of resources.

CPR, AED and First Aid training for nurses

For nurses who are required to maintain CPR, AED and First Aid training, HSI offers several professional-level programs for healthcare professionals. HSI’s Basic Life Support (BLS) topics include:

• One- and two-rescuer CPR techniques

• Ventilation techniques, including bag-valve-mask (BVM)

• Choking care

• Scene and patient assessment

Even if you’ve participated in CPR classes before, it’s important to remember that protocols and best practices evolve over time to reflect the most current research and improve outcomes. So, there’s a lot to gain personally and professionally from maintaining your certification with a nationally recognized program.

Additionally, nurses can earn extra income on their days off by becoming an emergency care Instructor. Whether you prefer to teach fellow nursing professionals or want to strengthen bystander response efforts, there are plenty of opportunities to continue to make a difference by teaching in your spare time.

Interested in using your healthcare background to teach lifesaving skills? Become a CPR, AED and First Aid Instructor today!