Megan Darby

Chief Nursing Officer

Dear Rocky Mountain Care Family,

I would like to recognize and celebrate ALL of our Nurses who work for the Rocky Mountain Care family and say: “Happy Nurses Day!”

When I think of what each of you does, every day when caring for our residents and patients, it reminds me of the ‘Make a Difference’ story.

One day, a man was walking along a sandy beach. As he walked, he saw a boy repeatedly bending down, standing up, and then swinging an arm toward the ocean. From a distance, it appeared as though the boy was dancing.

As the man drew nearer, he saw that the boy was not dancing; he was picking up starfish off the beach, turning toward the ocean, and throwing them past the crashing waves into deep water.

When the man reached the boy he said, “Good morning. May I ask what you are doing?” The boy paused, looked up, and said, “I’m throwing starfish into the ocean.'” “Why are you doing such a thing?” asked the man. The boy responded, “The sun is up and the tide is going out. If the starfish stay on the shore, they will die.” The man observed that the shore was littered with starfish.

“But young man,” he said, “There are thousands of starfish. How will saving a few make any difference?” The boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it into the water. He then said, “It made a difference to that one!”

Many times small efforts return great results! Just like the boy, we can all make a difference in the lives of those that surround us. Make a difference in someone’s life today! 

(Adapted from ‘The Star Thrower’ by Loren C. Eiseley)

Every single one of you ‘Make a Difference’ in the lives that you serve and care for. So many of you made a difference during COVID. We all know of the many health care facilities that closed their doors due to staffing shortages and other issues while facing COVID. However, your efforts and dedication not only kept our doors open, but you also helped us grow by adding Assisted Living Facilities (ALF) and another Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) to the RMC portfolio.

So, from the bottom of my heart I thank you for making a difference in the lives that you serve every day at Rocky Mountain Care.

Sincerely,

Megan Darby, RN, ICP, WCC
Chief Nursing Officer

A Brief History of National Nurses Week
History provided by the American Nurses Association (ANA)

1953 Dorothy Sutherland of the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare sent a proposal to President Eisenhower to proclaim a “Nurse Day” in October of the following year. The proclamation was never made.

1954 National Nurse Week was observed from October 11 – 16. The year of the observance marked the 100th anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s mission to Crimea. Representative Frances P. Bolton sponsored the bill for a nurse week. Apparently, a bill for a National Nurse Week was introduced in the 1955 Congress, but no action was taken. Congress discontinued its practice of joint resolutions for national weeks of various kinds.

1972 Again a resolution was presented by the House of Representatives for the President to proclaim “National Registered Nurse Day.” It did not occur.

1974 In January of that year, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) proclaimed that May 12 would be “International Nurse Day.” (May 12 is the birthday of Florence Nightingale.) Since 1965, the ICN has celebrated “International Nurse Day.”

1974 In February of that year, a week was designated by the White House as National Nurse Week, and President Nixon issued a proclamation.

1978 New Jersey Governor Brendon Byrne declared May 6 as “Nurses Day.” Edward Scanlan, of Red Bank, N.J., took up the cause to perpetuate the recognition of nurses in his state. Mr. Scanlan had this date listed in Chase’s Calendar of Annual Events. He promoted the celebration on his own.

1981 ANA, along with various nursing organizations, rallied to support a resolution initiated by nurses in New Mexico, through their Congressman, Manuel Lujan, to have May 6, 1982, established as “National Recognition Day for Nurses.”

1982 In February, the ANA Board of Directors formally acknowledged May 6, 1982 as “National Nurses Day.” The action affirmed a joint resolution of the United States Congress designating May 6 as “National Recognition Day for Nurses.”

1982 President Ronald Reagan signed a proclamation on March 25, proclaiming “National Recognition Day for Nurses” to be May 6, 1982.