Nurses are the backbone of our healthcare system, yet so many of us are not aware of the vital roles nurses fill on a daily basis.

Today's Nurses...

• Are advocates for patients. They help ensure their patient's safety and health, and that their rights and dignity are protected.
  
  
• Are educators. They teach and counsel patients and others about disease prevention and more. They teach nursing students and mentor new nurses on the job.
  
  
• Are community healthcare providers. In fact, in some communities, they're the ONLY healthcare providers available.
  
  
• Provide emotional and social support. Patients and their families turn to nurses for support to cope with illness, emergencies and long-term disease.
  
  
• Are caregivers. They act as the compassionate and professional liaison between all members of the healthcare team.
  
  
• Are agents for change. They mobilize and get results in a variety of ways, including influencing professional guidelines and even legislation.
  
  
• Combine the best of science and technology. They use valuable people skills like communication, problem solving, teaching and compassion.
  
  
• Are policy makers. They help to create the guidelines that ensure quality patient care.
  
  
• Are researchers. They evaluate ways to improve nursing methods and standards.
  
  
• Simply care. And more importantly, save lives - every day.

Show your support for the nursing community: Buy and wear a TOUCHLives bracelet. Want to know some other ways you can show your support?

TOUCHlives is a cooperative effort of the Foundation of the National Student Nurses' Association (FNSNA) and Medical Staffing Network. By purchasing TOUCHlives bracelets here at this site, you'll be showing your support for the nursing profession, and you'll be making a donation to the FNSNA Scholarship Fund. Medical Staffing Network has covered the entire cost of manufacturing the bracelets and printing the accompanying pamphlets, so that all proceeds from the sale of each and every bracelet by the FNSNA support nursing scholarships. In addition to purchasing bracelets, you can make a direct donation in any dollar amount you choose to the Foundation.