SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., - In recognition of National Nurses Week, Regional West is proud to honor nurses throughout its hospital and clinics.

National Nurses Week is celebrated annually May 6 through 12, commemorating Florence Nightingale's birthday on May 12. She was the founder of modern nursing and established nursing as an honorable and meaningful profession.

“Nurses play a vital role in the experience we provide our patients at Regional West. They provide direct excellent patient care services and are very important members of our health care team. We appreciate their hard work and dedication to exceptional patient care at Regional West,” said John Mentgen, President and CEO of Regional West.

According to a Gallup poll conducted in December, registered nurses topped the list of the most honest and ethical professions for the 17th year in a row. More than four out of five Americans rated the honesty and ethical standards of nurses as “high” or “very high.”

Nursing makes up the majority of the health care industry and is one of the fastest growing occupations in the U.S. Regional West employs just over 500 nurses and approximately 100 certified nursing assistants, as well as other nursing assistive personnel.

Registered nurses and licensed practical nurses who work at the hospital and clinics are familiar to most people, but many nurses pursue additional education for specialized careers as nurse anesthetists, case managers, midwives, flight nurses, advanced practiced nurses, and more.

Regional West Health Services in Scottsbluff, Neb., is the parent company of Regional West Medical Center, a 188-bed regional referral center and one of three Level II Trauma Centers in the state. As the region’s only tertiary referral medical center, Regional West offers care that spans more than 32 medical specialties provided by over 28 physician clinics. With nearly 300 in-network providers, and 2,000 employees, Regional West provides comprehensive and innovative health care services for the people of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota, and Wyoming.