It's National Nurses Week and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is celebrating to recognize the role nurses play in advocating for the health, safety, and rights of patients and nurses.

National Nurses Week begins each year on May 6, Nurses Day, and ends on May 12, Florence Nightingale's birthday.

“This week provides us with the opportunity to recognize the work of Michigan’s registered nurses and their dedication to promoting the health of our state,” said Nick Lyon, director of MDHHS.

Today, there are more than 124,000 registered nurses in Michigan.

Nurses practice in healthcare and educational settings and are differentiated from other providers by their approach to patient care and training.

There are currently 70 schools in Michigan offering nursing programs. View a list of Michigan Board of Nursing approved programs. 

To celebrate Nurses Week, the Michigan State Capitol Building in Lansing will display the diverse work of leading nurses in Michigan. The exhibit will be available through May 12, 2015, in Room 53 of the state Capitol, the exhibit room.

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