International Nurses Week: An Open Letter

Dear Fellow Nurses,

As we celebrate International Nurses Week, I find myself filled with pride and gratitude to stand among such an extraordinary group of individuals. This week is a chance for us to pause, reflect, and honor the incredible work we do every single day—work that often goes unseen but never goes unfelt by those whose lives we touch.

Being a nurse is more than a profession; it’s a calling, a privilege, and sometimes a challenge that tests the very core of who we are. We are there in the first breaths of life, in moments of recovery, in times of uncertainty, and, heartbreakingly, at the end of life. Through it all, we carry the weight of others’ pain and the joy of their triumphs, balancing science with compassion, strength with gentleness.

I know firsthand the long hours, the sacrifices, and the emotional toll this work can take. There are days that test our patience, our resilience, and even our spirits. Yet, we keep going—not because it’s easy, but because we know how much it matters. We show up for our patients, their families, and each other, because we believe in the power of care, in the difference a kind word or a gentle touch can make. We walk their journey with them.

During the past few years, our profession has been in the spotlight, and the world has seen what we’ve always known: nurses are the backbone of healthcare. We’ve faced a global pandemic head-on, often at great personal cost, and proved time and again that we are a force to be reckoned with. We’ve innovated, adapted, and persevered, bringing hope and healing to those who needed it most.

But amidst the challenges, there is so much joy in what we do. We witness recovery and resilience. We share in milestones and triumphs. We connect with people in ways that are deeply human and profoundly meaningful. These moments remind us why we chose this path and why we continue to walk it.

So, this week, let us celebrate ourselves and each other. Let’s honor the expertise, empathy, and grit that define our work. Let’s take pride in the lives we’ve touched and the difference we’ve made. And let’s remember that we are not alone; we are part of a global community of caregivers, united by our shared commitment to healing and humanity.

To each and every one of you: thank you for your courage, your kindness, and your dedication. Thank you for being my colleagues, my inspiration, and my family in scrubs. This week, and always, I am proud to call myself a nurse and to stand beside you in this calling.

With heartfelt gratitude and solidarity,

Jami Streyle

RN, MS, HWNC-BC, HNB-BC, Nurse Coach

Jami@bodyofgraceliving.com