“There is certainly a sense of pride knowing you have helped someone with a medical need, whether it is finding a solution or providing medical care, it is a fulfilling role,” clinic assistant Sandy Lulashynk said. “It’s one of the many things we do.”

Friday is National Nurse Appreciation Day. This day is dedicated to appreciating the work and effort of nurses. With a wide variety of roles, there comes numerous work and responsibilities.

“Nurses provide daily, hands-on care, whether it’s daily care in a school or hospital setting,” Lulashynk said. “They spend more time with each patient to ensure their needs are met.”

The importance of a patient’s well-being drives Lulashynk to be active and aware during her daily schedule.

“You never know what problem might come up,” Lulashynk said. “A seizure, a heart attack, an anaphylactic reaction, a terrible cur or head injury, anything. Important decisions must be made quickly and accurately, which means being aware of any situation.”

Different situations cause nurses, assistants, or any registered individual to act quickly.

“Our roles do vary, but one is not more important than the other, they’re just different,” Lulashynk said. “They’re unique in their own ways but the importance is still there.”

Although there may be differences in roles, the effort to appreciate them remains the same.

“As someone who wants to be a nurse, it’s very important to me that they get the recognition they deserve,” senior Abby Carney said. “I believe they help run things smoothly, so their presence is necessary.”

Similarly, senior Chloe Campbell believes nurse recognition should be enlightened.

“They care for us when we are very vulnerable,” Campbell said. “The potential workload and crazy hours I have also seen being experienced, it’s not an easy job.”

Due to the business they experience and the complexity of clinics, nurses have made a contribution to helping in the medical field as well.

“Being there for so long, even if we do not know the needs of each patient immediately, it is our job, as I mentioned earlier, to learn and aid quickly,” Lulashynk said. “It’s something we nurses enjoy, helping others.”