It’s a special week in the medical field! May 6- 12, 2023, is Nurses Week and an opportunity to appreciate nurses who work tirelessly for their patients. South Dakota Foundation for Medical Care (SDFMC) encourages everyone to reach out and send thanks to the nurses in their life.
Nancy McDonald, BSN, RN, CPHQ, director of quality improvement for SDFMC declared,
“Nurses care. They care for and about the people they serve in the clinics, hospitals, and long-term facilities throughout the state. Their perspectives and insights for improving health care systems and patient care are valued by SDFMC.”
Nurses are valuable members of the SDFMC team. Their direct care and quality improvement expertise supports many SDFMC projects, including Bright Start and South Dakota Project Firstline.
Bright Start provides professionally trained registered nurses to be another layer of support to financially eligible first-time mothers from pregnancy through the child’s second birthday. “We nurses provide great listening skills in an unbiased, nonjudgmental environment and building that trusting relationship with clients impacts positive health outcomes,” shared Valerie Wagner, RN, Bright Start Home Visiting Nurse.
The nurse team from South Dakota Project Firstline provides infection prevention education and training to healthcare professionals and emergency medical services personnel across the state. “We all have the power to reduce the transmission of infection in our homes and our communities. We know we can do better and potentially reduce harm and save lives through awareness and education,” explained Cheri Fast, RN, CIC, LTC-CIP, WOCN, regarding the work of SD PFL. “The more frontline workers that have the education the greater impact we can have on improving the care and health outcomes for everyone.”
Join the conversation and thank a nurse during Nurses Week from May 6-12 for their outstanding work and contribution to the families and communities they serve!