By Elizabeth Wulfhorst
National Nurses Week is observed annually from May 6 to 12, beginning on National Nurses Day and concluding on the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. This week honors the millions of nurses, nurse practitioners and nursing professionals who form the backbone of the U.S. healthcare system, recognizing their dedication, skill and compassion.
According to the American Nurses Association (ANA), 2026’s theme is “The Power of Nurses,” highlighting the strength, impact and essential role of nurses in healthcare. This theme coincides with the ANA’s 130th anniversary and America’s 250th anniversary, emphasizing both the historical and contemporary contributions of nurses.
Significant nursing shortages continue to test the healthcare industry, according to the Health Resources and Services Administration. In the United States, supply meets only about 92% of demand; there are about 264,000 unfilled registered nurse positions and about 94,000 vacant licensed practical nurse positions.
Even in fields with a surplus of nurses, such as nurse practitioners and nurse anesthetists, the distribution is uneven across the nation.
Key drivers of the deficit include an aging population, retirement, burnout and retention issues, nursing school constraints and the increased demand for skilled nurses in healthcare services and specialties, according to Medliant, an international healthcare staffing service.
Many Career Options
Nurses work in many different facilities and can focus on an array of specialties. They are often categorized by their levels of education, with each level having a different scope of practice and responsibility.
A licensed practical nurse or LPN is responsible for basic patient care and comfort. They typically are a patient’s primary point of contact and relay information to the rest of the care team. One can think of LPNs as entry-level nurses, although their responsibilities are no less important than those of other medical professionals. LPNs typically work under direct supervision and assist patients with eating, dressing and bathing. LPNs also take vital signs and administer medications. The American Nursing Association says becoming an LPN or a licensed vocational nurse requires a high school diploma or GED, a vocational training course and a passing grade on the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses.
Registered nurses (RN) complete a higher level of education than LPNs and can provide more complex and comprehensive care for patients. RNs often handle a wider range of patient care services and assume more responsibilities than LPNs. Aspiring RNs can get an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). A BSN requires a greater financial commitment and a four-year undergraduate program takes time to complete. Many employers look for candidates with a BSN.
Nurses who have advanced degrees are called advanced practice registered nurses. They have specialized training beyond that of a typical registered nurse and have broader scopes of practice. They may work with greater autonomy in certain specialties.
A certified nurse practitioner (CNP) is a clinician who blends expertise in diagnosing and treating health conditions with an emphasis on disease prevention and health management. Advanced education, like a master’s or doctoral degree, is required to become a CNP. Certified nurse practitioners can prescribe medications, order diagnostic tests and manage chronic conditions.
Certified nurse-midwives (CNM) provide gynecological and low-risk obstetrical care. These advanced practice registered nurses focus their study and practices on gynecology, family planning, prenatal care, labor and postpartum care. In addition to an advanced degree, CNMs must complete an accredited midwifery education program and pass a national certification exam.
Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNA) have specialized training in anesthesia. These professionals work with surgeons, anesthesiologists, dentists, podiatrists and other providers and can often be the sole anesthesia providers in rural hospitals and the U.S. armed forces.
In Praise of Local Nurses
Hackensack Meridian Health
Riverview Medical Center
Tony Perry, the Public Relations & Communications manager at Hackensack Meridian Health, shared statements about three of the thousands of nurses who keep Riverview Medical Center and the greater network humming along:
Vanessa Wagner is an incredible nurse who truly represents the best of what we do. She’s meticulous with her patients’ care, always thinking two steps ahead to make sure they have everything they need. She’s very clinically sharp, but she also takes the time to listen and connect with them. Recently, Dr. Qureshi told me he was blown away when he overheard her talking with a patient, stating she’s “the epitome of excellent nursing care.” We also receive so much positive feedback from patients and their families. Just recently, a patient’s wife called Vanessa “her angel,” which really shows the kind of impact she has on those she cares for.
Additionally, she’s an excellent charge nurse, a wonderful mentor/preceptor to our new nurses, and our go-to expert as the 3S Wound Care Champion. Vanessa is a huge asset to our team and to Riverview Medical Center.
Daisy Olivera is an exceptional Operating Room nurse. Daisy is a standout professional whose clinical excellence, composure, and compassion have made a lasting impact on both her colleagues and the patients she serves. Recognized by her peers and leadership alike, Daisy consistently demonstrates a high level of clinical expertise across multiple specialties, including robotic surgery, plastic surgery, and total joint procedures. Her versatility and precision in these complex areas reflect not only her advanced skill set but also her dedication to delivering the highest standard of patient care. What truly sets Daisy apart is her calm and reassuring presence. She remains confident, focused, and deeply compassionate in the fast-paced, high-pressure environment of the operating room. Patients and team members alike benefit from her steady demeanor and thoughtful approach, making her an invaluable asset to our surgical services team.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Daisy embodies a commitment to a balanced and meaningful life. She prioritizes her health and wellness, is fluent in Spanish – enhancing communication and care for diverse patient populations – and supports her family’s restaurant on weekends. She also brings warmth and joy to those around her, often sharing stories about her beloved dog, Tito. Daisy represents the very best of nursing: skilled, humble, dedicated, and deeply human. To work alongside her is both a privilege and an honor. Our patients consistently express gratitude for her presence at the bedside, and our team is stronger because of her.
Janine Perez has been with HMH for over 30 years. She has precepted over 60 new nurses in her time here at Riverview Medical Center (likely more; she can only remember the names of 60!) She won preceptor of the year in 2026, and plans to retire this summer after an amazing and dedicated career.
Janine has dedicated her career to not only being an amazing nurse who forms bonds with her patients and is complimented daily in rounds and even in HCAP survey responses, but also to creating lifelong friendships with all whom she has taught over the years. The quality of a preceptor for a new nurse will make or break the start of their career and acclimation to professional nursing practice, and I truly believe Janine’s kindness, compassion, and knowledge with all 60-plus of her new grads (most of whom she is still in touch with/work for HMH) has contributed to the culture and success here at Riverview.
RWJBarnabas Health
Monmouth Medical Center
The following nurses were honored with Monmouth Medical Center’s DAISY Award for Nursing Excellence. The DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Foundation was created by the family of Patrick Barnes, who died at age 33 of complications from idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), an autoimmune disease. His widow, Tena, a DAISY co-founder, established the DAISY Recognition Program to honor the work nurses do every day.
Perioperative Services’ nurse Marisa Petrou, BSN, RN, was praised by a recent patient for a kind gesture that made all the difference to her as she was about to undergo surgery.
Petrou, who joined MMC as an OR nurse four years ago, was nominated for the award by a patient who remembered “her colorful scrub cap, her dark eyes, and her reassuring voice” as she was headed to surgery. The patient also noted Petrou’s “simple act of holding my hand” as anesthesia was administered.
“This gesture made all the difference in the world. I was no longer scared. In unspoken words, it said, ‘You are not alone, I’m right here.’ This memory is as clear today as it was over a month ago, and one I will never forget. It is a reminder of the impact nurses have on their patients,” the patient wrote in their nominating essay.
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit nurse Annie Nudas, BSN, RN, CPN, a pediatric nurse at MMC for 20 years, was praised by the parents of two young patients.
“During my son’s five-and-a-half-day PICU stay, all of the nurses were great, but Annie went above and beyond. Even when my son wasn’t being the nicest little boy, she truly understood and continued to treat him like an angel. Even when it came down to me, she would let me sneak away, knowing I needed a moment, and if she needed me, she simply would just give me a call. She understands and shows the real meaning of nursing,” said one parent.
“My daughter was so scared when she was admitted. As a parent, there is nothing worse than watching your child not feel well and not being able to fix it. From the very first day, Annie treated her like she was her own. She didn’t just come in to do her job and leave. She sat with her. She talked to her. She explained things in a way my daughter could understand instead of just talking to the adults in the room.”
“You can tell when someone truly cares, and she does. She brought compassion, patience, and kindness into our daughter’s hospital stay, and that is something we will never forget,” explained another.
During an award ceremony held Feb. 18 on the Pediatric Unit, Director of Patient Care Debra Petersen said that Nudas’s most genuine quality is showing “concern and empathy for the well-being of her patients and their families.”
“It’s without reservation that Annie be publicly acknowledged and thanked for all her outstanding years of kind service, stepping up to be our unit safety coach and her untiring commitment to her patients, families and colleagues,” Petersen said.
Matthew Seward, BSN, RN, MED-SURG-BC, an MMC Float Pool nurse was praised for the incredible kindness he demonstrates.
“When I got up to the unit where Matt was, I told him about an issue I was having with my IV and he immediately pulled up a chair to help identify a solution. He listened to my concerns and really took the time to find a good vein that would be both comfortable and not get in the way while I slept. It was such an easy fix, but it felt like he really wanted to help me and listen to my problems,” one patient said.
“He was always honest and transparent when answering my questions and really helped alleviate my concerns where possible. You can tell he really goes above and beyond for his patients, and he made my stay so much easier. I hope he knows just how much his kindness helped me through.”
The article originally appeared in the May 7 – 13, 2026 print edition of The Two River Times.
