Honoring Nurses of PAH Past and Present
As the first hospital in the nation, Pennsylvania Hospital has a rich history of patient care. In its more than 270 years, PAH has endured wars, epidemics, and pandemics with staff selflessly stepping forward to help others in trying times. It is these acts of service that we still see today as we continue to live through the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in Nursing – a group whose members have consistently served at the front lines for centuries.
In May, we observed Nurses Week, a weeklong celebration of the nursing profession. During this year’s Nurses Week, we caught up with alumni from PAH’s original School of Nursing, which closed in 1974, at the Perspective in Nursing History panel which discussed how the field and image of the nurse have evolved over time. They were first known for their starched white caps and uniforms, and are now identified by their blue scrubs in our halls. Though these roles initially only required certification through training programs, nurses can now enroll in more formal institutions for education. However, despite changes in uniforms and credentials, our nurses have always demonstrated multiple roles beyond being a caregiver, exemplified through our new professional practice model – Care, Lead, Innovate. They are advocates, listening to their patients’ needs and helping them navigate the health system. They are researchers, investigating tools and work processes to innovate our operations. And they are leaders, guiding their teams to uphold PAH’s high standards of care.
Our nurses go above and beyond for others, being a care provider, colleague, and confidante all in one. It was a joy to honor their achievements throughout the week with ceremonies like our Daisy Team and Leader Awards and the 12th annual Relationship Based Care Awards, featured in the online version of this month’s What’s New. Although Nurses Week is a short-term celebration, the work of our nurses does not go unnoticed and their dedication to patient care is admired every day.