SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., – On May 2, Regional West Medical Center will celebrate the dedication and skill of its nursing staff and honor several nurses and individuals for outstanding service to patients and coworkers.

The Medical Center will host its third annual Magnet Nursing Fair, one step in its effort to gain national Magnet recognition; the highest level of recognition a hospital can achieve for nursing excellence.

The day-long event will take place in the Medical Center’s Main Lobby, second level, and will include exhibits developed by Regional West nurses on projects they have spearheaded that embody the Magnet components of Exemplary Professional Practice, Structural Empowerment, New Knowledge and Innovations, Transformational Leadership and Empirical Outcomes.

At 2 p.m., Scottsbluff Mayor Randy Meininger will present a proclamation in honor of National Nurses Week, May 6 to 12, the birth date of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. Nurses Week activities raise awareness of the value of nursing and help educate the public about the role nurses play in meeting the health care needs of the American people.
Following the proclamation, winners and nominees for the 2013 Nurses Day Awards will be recognized. In addition, the winner of the Nebraska Nurses Association District V “My Favorite Nurse” contest will be announced.

Regional West Health Services, with over 1,800 employees, provides comprehensive and innovative health care services for the people and communities of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota and Wyoming. With over 110 active physicians, 95 percent of whom are board certified or board eligible, plus an additional 25 consulting specialists, Regional West offers care that spans more than 30 medical specialties. Regional West Medical Center, a subsidiary of Regional West Health Services, is accredited by The Joint Commission and is one of three Level II Trauma Centers in Nebraska.