Keeping you informed of events, news and resources for the consumers of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Services and their families and caregivers.

May 5 , 2008

TDMHDD Celebrates National Nurses Week May 6-12

NASHVILLE—The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities honors its 475 nurses during National Nurses week for their compassionate work and dedication throughout the year. This year, the theme "Nurses: Making a Difference Every Day" truly represents what nurses do on a daily basis—make a difference in people’s lives. A salute to nurses during National Nurses Week gives visibility to the importance of this profession to our society, our healthcare system, and to the public’s health.

“Nurses are the backbone of the health care delivery system. Yet despite their essentiality, nurses are too frequently invisible and underappreciated—The knowledge, skill, and commitment just are not as well recognized as many of their professional counterparts,” commented TDMHDD Commissioner Virginia Trotter Betts. “As a psychiatric nurse, I know first-hand the challenges our nurses face everyday in our regional mental health institutes. We are so fortunate to have each and every one of them to provide the best quality care to all of our patients.”

Annually, National Nurses Week begins on May 6, marked as RN Recognition Day, and ends on May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, founder of nursing as a modern profession. During this week, registered nurses throughout Tennessee will be recognized. Traditionally, National Nurses Week is devoted to highlighting the diverse ways in which registered nurses, the largest health care profession, are working to improve health care and “make a difference.”

“The department celebrates the dedication of our nurses every year during National Nurse’s Week,” stated TDMHDD Chief Nurse Dr. Freida Outlaw. “This is an opportunity for those of us throughout the department to go to the hospitals and meet directly with the nursing staff and show our gratitude and appreciation.”

For more information on National Nurses Week visit www.nursingworld.org. For additional mental health information and for TDMHDD nursing employment opportunities in the five regional mental health institutes go to www.state.tn.us/mental or call (615) 253-4812.

Click here for more press releases...