VA Celebrates ‘Nurses Week 2018’ with a Number of Activities Recognizing VA’s 93,000 Nurses Nationwide

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) was pleased to recognize and celebrate National Nurses Week held May 6 – 12 with a number of activities, including the release of “Meaningful Tweets,” a heartfelt VA twist on a popular late-night talk show host’s segment by a different name.

This year marks the 28th anniversary of Nurses Week, which celebrates nurses in both the public and private sectors and is supported by the American Nurses Association (ANA). This year’s theme is “Nurses: Inspire, Innovate, Influence.” The “Meaningful Tweets” video celebrates nurses while raising awareness of the unique career opportunities for VA nurses across the country. VA has over 93,000 nurses employed nationwide and is actively recruiting qualified candidates to support Veterans.

“It is such an honor that VA is the largest employer of nurses in the country,” said Acting VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “We thank our VA nurses for the important work they do every day. Their influence and innovation inspire us all to deliver our very best to Veterans, and to those who would like to become part of the VA nursing team, I encourage you to apply today.”

The “Meaningful Tweets” video appears on VA’s Careers website, Nurses Week 2018, and features VA nurses from the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston, Texas, reading funny and quirky tweets from patients and staff.

VA launched a number of additional online activities this week in recognition of VA nurses, including shareable E-cards on the official Nurses Week landing page as well as insightful blog posts. Other activities included a series of powerful highlights from current VA nurses and a live-stream Facebook chat with Kathleen Barry, director of workforce and leadership, at the Office of Nursing Services.