I stood across from Niagara Health’s St. Catharines Site at dusk yesterday, watching as the building’s façade transformed into a glowing blue beacon against the darkening sky. The symbolic illumination marked the beginning of National Nursing Week, which runs May 6-12 this year, coinciding with Florence Nightingale’s birthday on May 12.
“It’s just a small gesture, but it means something to see your workplace lit up like that,” whispered Jenna Kowalski, a pediatric nurse for eight years at the hospital. “Some days you wonder if anyone notices how hard we’re working.”
Across Niagara region, healthcare facilities and community buildings are bathed in blue light this week to honor the region’s nursing workforce – professionals who have faced unprecedented challenges since 2020. The theme for Nursing Week 2024, “Nursing in Niagara: From Crisis to Connection,” reflects the profession’s journey through pandemic turbulence toward rebuilding sustainable care models.
Lynn Guerriero, President and CEO of Niagara Health, expressed her appreciation at the lighting ceremony. “Our nurses represent the very heart of our healthcare system. This visual tribute serves as a reminder of their dedication, skill and compassion during the most challenging circumstances imaginable.”
The blue light installations are part of a region-wide celebration that includes recognition events at all Niagara Health sites, staff appreciation activities organized by the Niagara Health Foundation, and community partnerships with local businesses offering discounts to nurses who present their ID badges.
For many nurses like Miguel Santos, who’s worked in emergency medicine for over a decade, the recognition comes at a critical moment. “We’ve lost so many colleagues to burnout, early retirement, or career changes,” he told me while watching the lights come on. “Those who stayed, we’re still processing what happened during COVID while trying to rebuild and move forward.”
Niagara’s nursing workforce mirrors national trends. According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information, Canada experienced a 219% increase in nursing job vacancies between 2019 and 2023, with Ontario recording some of the highest vacancy rates in the country.
Dr. Karima Velji, Chief of Nursing and Professional Practice at Niagara Health, acknowledges these challenges while pointing to signs of recovery. “We’ve implemented a comprehensive retention strategy focused on staff wellness, professional development, and creating more sustainable workloads,” she explained. “Our new graduate hiring has increased by 22% compared to pre-pandemic numbers.”
Behind the statistics are stories of resilience. Marilyn Chen, a nurse practitioner at Niagara-on-the-Lake’s community health center, adjusted her service delivery model during the pandemic and now maintains a hybrid approach. “We learned that virtual care works well for certain patient populations, especially those with mobility challenges or transportation barriers,” Chen said. “The crisis forced innovation at a pace we never thought possible.”
The nursing profession in Niagara is also becoming more diverse. Niagara College’s nursing program reports a 35% increase in male enrollment and growing representation from newcomer communities, reflecting efforts to build a workforce that better represents the region’s changing demographics.
At Fort Erie’s Douglas Memorial Hospital, nursing team lead Aisha Johnson believes this diversity brings strength. “Different perspectives make us better problem-solvers,” she explained during a Nursing Week panel discussion. “The patients we serve come from all walks of life, and having a team that reflects that diversity improves care.”
Beyond the hospital walls, community-based nursing initiatives are gaining momentum. The Nurse-Family Partnership program, which pairs registered nurses with first-time mothers from pregnancy until their child turns two, has expanded to three new sites across Niagara Region in the past year. The program focuses on preventive care and early intervention, addressing social determinants of health before they escalate to hospital visits.
“Nursing isn’t just about addressing illness – it’s about fostering wellness,” explained program coordinator Sarah Williams. “When we support families early, we change health trajectories for generations.”
Back at the illuminated St. Catharines hospital, the blue light cast gentle shadows across the faces of gathered healthcare workers. Some took selfies, others stood in quiet reflection. A nurse who introduced herself as Rebecca dabbed at her eyes.
“I don’t think I’ve processed everything that’s happened the past few years,” she admitted. “But nights like this, seeing the community acknowledge our profession – it helps.”
Throughout Nursing Week, residents can participate by sharing messages of gratitude on Niagara Health’s social media channels, leaving heartfelt notes at designated “Gratitude Stations” in hospital lobbies, or simply thanking the nurses they encounter.
As Nightingale once said, “Nursing is an art.” For one luminous week in Niagara, that art is being celebrated in blue light – a visual reminder of the profession that touches lives at their most vulnerable moments, in darkness and in light.
