National Nurses Month 2023

Nurses month graphic with 4 nurses smiling.

May 1 kicks off the annual National Nurses Month celebration of the most trusted profession. Check back each week during the month of May to find resources aligning with the American Nurses Association's weekly themes.

Week 1: Self Care

Catch Some (Good) Zs: Tips for Healthy Sleep

Quality sleep is crucial for physical, cognitive and psychosocial well-being –it helps us to make better decisions, and enhances our mood and energy levels. PhD alumna and sleep researcher Misol Kwon shares her tips for a good night's rest.

5 Ways Nurses Can Practice Self-Care During a Shift

According to the ANA's Health Risk Appraisal, "for nearly every indicator, the health of America’s nurses is worse than that of the average American." It is a crucial time to educate employers and nurses on the importance of self-care. Olivia Cox, DNP '20, AGPCNP-C, shares five tips for self-care in the workplace.

Mindfulness to Help Manage Stress in the Workplace

Celebrate National Nurses Week on May 10 with Leann Balcerzak, BS '19, third year nursing PhD and Presidential Fellow, with a discussion about mindfulness in the workplace to manage stress, with a special focus on the health care industry.

Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation™

According to the ANA, nurses are less healthy than the average American. The goal of ANA's Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation™ program is to engage nurses, employers, and organizations around improving health in six areas: mental health, physical activity, nutrition, rest, quality of life and safety. Nurses are important role models for health and wellness; if nurses improve their personal health and wellness, and our community members follow their example, we would live in a healthier nation.

Join Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation™

Week 2: Recognition

This National Nurses Month, we're celebrating four nursing professionals for their excellence and contributions to nursing research, practice, leadership and education. All award recipients will be honored at the School of Nursing's Annual May Celebration on May 25, 2023.

Distinguished Alumni Award

Audrey Koertvelyessy, MS ’66, BS ’62, is the 2023 recipient of the University at Buffalo School of Nursing Distinguished Alumni Award. Her time with Indian Health Service came with an appointment to the rank of captain — equivalent to the rank of colonel in the Army — in the Commission Corps of the United States Public Health Service.

Patricia H. Garman Award for Excellence and Service in Nursing

Kimberly Ennis, DNP, APRN-BC, is the 2023 recipient of the University at Buffalo School of Nursing Patricia H. Garman Award for Excellence and Service in Nursing. Ennis, an experienced clinician and leader, is the Senior Director of Nursing at Mount Sinai Queens.

Outstanding Recent Graduate Award

Junxin Li, PhD ’14, RN, FAAN, is the first recipient of University at Buffalo School of Nursing’s Outstanding Recent Graduate Award. Li is currently an assistant professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing. Her research focus is exploring modifiable factors that contribute to cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease.

Distinguished Preceptor Award

Vicki Murphy, MS, PMHNP-BC, is the 2023 recipient of the University at Buffalo School of Nursing’s Distinguished Preceptor Award. Murphy is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner who is currently a provider at WNY Psychotherapy Services.

RSVP: May Celebration

Nominate for the 2024 School of Nursing Awards

Week 3: Professional Development

Why pursue a DNP?

A DNP program prepares nurses at the highest level of nursing practice to improve patient care and population health outcomes. And, leading authorities like the AACN, the National Academies of Medicine and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation are calling for doctorally prepared nurses to help meet the growing demands of a growing and aging population.

5 Reasons to Join a Professional Nurses Association

Gale Klinshaw, former president of UB's Gamma Kappa Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, shares some of the benefits of getting involved with professional nursing organizations and societies.

4 Things I Learned from My Nursing Mentor

Mentorship is a wonderful way to provide guidance and support to nurses and nursing students. 2022 School of Nursing graduate Arielle Samuel shares some valuable lessons and advice from her mentor, Sophia Overton, MSEd, RN.

Asking and Advocating for What Nurses Need (Free National Nurses Month 2023 Webinar - May 17, 2023)

Diverse group of registered nurses and nurse practitioners.

This webinar will inform you about the tools and information needed to ask for what you need. ANA’s Policy & Government Affairs team will provide you with an overview of how they, with the help of ANA members and advocates, work to improve the nursing profession using the case study of our work to prevent and end Workplace Violence.

Week 4: Community Engagement

How School Nurses Affect Policy, Drive Change to Improve Child Health

"There are so many ways to provide service as a nurse, but I always knew I wanted to be a school nurse; it was a calling ... I don’t think of it as ‘school nursing,’ – I think of it as policies that impact child health." - Marthey Dewey Bergren (DNS '92/PhD)

Students, alumni advocate for certified registered nurse anesthetists in Albany

University at Buffalo nurse anesthesia students and faculty, along with other certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) met with State Senators and Assemblymembers in the state capitol on May 10 to support scope of practice legislation for CRNAs.

Pharmaceutical trailblazer exemplifies the limitless possibilities of a nursing career

Colleen Miller (PhD ‘97, MS ’91) has spent her career lifting the voices and contributions of nurses – and proving their impact and innovation reach far beyond the bedside.

RN Action Advocacy Toolkit

Last year, more than 16,000 nurses and nursing advocates joined RNAction, sending over 60,000 letters to Congress. Check out their toolkit and resources for information on how to advocate for changes in law and policy.

Access the RNAction toolkit