Representatives from Elkins Rehabilitation & Care Center were on hand for the reading of a proclamation by the Randolph County Commission last week, as well as a proclamation signing by Elkins Mayor Jerry Marco this week on Tuesday, the start of National Nurses Week.

Elkins Rehabilitation & Care Center Administrator Tara Shaver said she was pleased county and city officials recognized the critical role nurses play in providing healthcare to patients.

“Nurses are the backbone of the healthcare system in this country,” Shaver said. “They play a vital role in providing short- and long-term care to patients.”

National Nurses Week runs from May 6-12. The date of May 12 is significant because it is Florence Nightingale’s birthday. Nightingale was the famous English social reformer and is considered to be the founder of modern nursing.

Submitted photo Above from left are Randolph County Commissioner Cris Siler, Randolph County Commission President David Kesling, Randolph County Commissioner Chris See, ERCC Administrator Tara Shaver and ERCC Director of Nursing Autumn Elza.

National Nurses Week is part of the overall National Nurses Month, which runs for all of May. It also incorporates International Nurses Day on May 12.

There were 29,817 RNs in the Mountain State in 2021, according to the West Virginia Center for Nursing. There were also 4,692 Advanced Practical Registered Nurses in the state that year, according to the data. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states there were 6,190 LPNs in West Virginia that year.

“We need more nurses in this state,” Shaver said. “It is a great paying, rewarding career and we hope more people decide to pursue this vocation.”