As we enter the month of May, it is my pleasure to extend my warmest greetings to all of you and to celebrate the start of Nurses Month 2023. This month is an opportunity to recognize and honor the incredible contributions that nurses make to our healthcare system and to our communities.

Nursing is a profession that is rich in history and tradition, and we owe much to the pioneers who paved the way for us. One such pioneer is Florence Nightingale, whose work during the Crimean War in the 19th century helped to establish nursing as a respected profession. Her tireless efforts to improve sanitation and hygiene in hospitals helped to save countless lives and set the standard for nursing care that still stands today.

But Florence Nightingale is just one of many remarkable nurses who have contributed to our field. In the United States, we have had nurses like Mary Eliza Mahoney, the first African American registered nurse, whose work helped to break down barriers for minority nurses and paved the way for greater diversity in our profession. And we have had nurses like Madeleine Leininger, who developed the theory of transcultural nursing and helped to promote greater understanding and respect for cultural differences in healthcare.

As nurses, we know that our work is not just a job but a calling. We are called to serve our patients with compassion, empathy, and expertise. And over the past few years, we have faced unprecedented challenges as we have battled the COVID-19 pandemic. We have been on the front lines, risking our own health and safety to care for others. We have shown incredible resilience, strength, and dedication in the face of adversity, and we have proven time and time again that we are essential to our healthcare system.

As we celebrate Nurses Month 2023, let us take a moment to reflect on the history of our profession and the incredible legacy that we carry forward. Let us also take a moment to recognize and honor the hard work, dedication, and sacrifice of nurses across the state of New Jersey and across the world. Your service is invaluable, and we are deeply grateful for all that you do.

Thank you for your unwavering commitment to patient care and to the nursing profession. Happy Nurses Month!

Sincerely,

Lois V. Greene, DHA, RN, NEA-BC, CPPS

President