Value the Invaluable: Support Our Dear Nurses Campaign!

Value the Invaluable: send your support to front-line nurses

Read some nurses' stories that you have shared with us

Want to tell your story about a nurse who made a difference? Across Ontario, front-line nurses ensure that patients, residents and clients are cared for in their time of need. Nurses are the MVPs of health care. We know that, dollar for dollar, nurses improve our lives more than almost anyone. Write a Dear Nurses note and we will send it to front-line nurses! Complete the information below and we will share your stories with the front-line nurses in your community plus we will post some of your stories on this page (please keep it to a couple of sentences, if possible!) ONA will ensure your personal privacy by removing any identifying details.

Share

Your stories about nurses

I am a nurse, just received full-time during a season in which we as a profession are threatened with layoffs. I am very thankful. I would like to take this opportunity to say to my co-workers and collegues that I appreciate all of you. It's not about a paycheque, it's about loyalty and heart and you all have much of that. It's time for us to stand up for our profession, for each other, and to prove how valuable we are to our communities.
-RN, Toronto

I am one of them. I see what my coworkers do on a daily basis and how they are required to do so much more with fewer resources. Nurses listen. Nurses comfort. Nurses defend. Nurses are proactive. Nurses are clients.
-RN, Tecumseh

When my dad was in a hospice, he was treated with such care and dignity in his last few days. I really believe those nurses were angels to be able to care for someone at their end and with such caring and thoughtfulness. He appreciated everything they did. And they were great with my family as well.
-Member of the Public

Any time I need medical care I receive far more kindess and care from a nurse. I feel more able to ask questions and always receive clear answers. There should be more nurses and they should be higher paid since I believe they provide more preventative and attentive medical care!
Health-care User, Ottawa

I volunteer with some amazing nurses in dialysis and also in elder care. The grace with which the nursing staff handles their workload, lack of resources and angry patients impresses me. They sometimes commend me for having patience with elder patients, but I'm at the hospital 5 hours a week, they're on the front lines every day and I have no idea how they do the work they do. They are truly super heroes!
-Member of the Public, Mississauga

You care about my concern, my health, my family, my community, my children's future, my mental health, my emotional health, the health of the people I don't know, about the type of care I am receiving.I value you because you are invaluable!
-Member of the Public, Toronto

Although I have never been hospitalized for medical care I really appreciate the current radio ad campaign and want to salute all the nurses who dedicate themselves to health care in Ontario. It's a tough job and the commitment is unbelieveable and real. I often think of the stress nurses deal with everyday, from managing patient's physical care to assisting patients in shock and dealing with emotional family members. I volunteer with our local hospice and truly respect all that nurses do for patients, families and the community.
-Member of the Public, Mississauga

I have worked with you for over 20 years and seen first hand the excellent care you provide and the comfort that you provide to your patients. As you retire, I hope that the rewards of your career will stay with you as well as the good memories! Happy retirement!
-Member of the Public, Ontario

I have had a few visits through the years to the hospital. I have always found the nurses warm kind caring people who really took care of me. I truly value the invaluable. THANK YOU!
-Health-care User, Ajax

My family and I have had the unfortunate experience of being with my dad in three different hospitals. Each of the nurses we encountered, and there were many, were kind, diligent and so knowledgeable. I cannot imagine anyone choosing this profession; it must be exhausting and sometimes very sad. However, I am so happy that the nurses we encountered chose to do this job. They were amazing!
-Member of the Public, Courtice

As a teacher in Ontario I know how difficult it is to have your voices heard and that you are often devalued. Hearing about all the cuts that are coming in Ottawa hospitals made me write. Solidarity.
-Member of the Public, Ottawa

I have been ill twice in my life and both times nurses were an integral part of my wellness. Their unwavering positive attitude, dedication, selflessness is incredible. They deserve so much recognition and I feel terrible that they do not recieve it. Please continue to be the incredible professionals that you are. Thank you.
-Health-care User, Toronto

The nurse who treated me was so sweet and caring and it just warmed my heart that she was looking out for my best interests. Every time I receive treatment from a nurse in Ottawa, the treatment is stellar.
-Patient, Ottawa

Even if you have never been a patient, I'm sure everyone can appreciate the compassionate work that nurses do. They work long hours and are seldom recognized for the contribution they make to our health care system. They provide invaluable services to those in need and deserve more appreciation than they currently receive.
-Member of the Public, London

I am currently in the practical nursing program. All of my professors are nurses and I can't tell you how much spending time with them and my clinical experience has made me respect the job that you do.
-Nursing Student, London

The more time I spend in this profession, the more I love it. It is exciting to know that I will be here for a while. Thank you to all the front line nurses who have inspired and invested in my learning. You have set the standard of care high for me to reach for.
-Student RN, Hamilton

It takes a very special person to be a nurse. Any time a nurse has helped me or a family member, they've done it with pride and such selflessness. From something as simple as holding a child's hand who is scared of getting a needle, to ventilating a man who's been in a car accident to save his life so that he can survive and live on to be with his family again. Thank you.
-Member of the Public, Meaford

I don't know how you do it. You men and women do more bandaging, testing, clean-ups and healing than most do in their lifetimes. I would like to thank all nurses for the jobs that they do and I pray that someday the government will recognize your service and your sacrifice for the good of Ontario and Canada.
-Health-care User, Newmarket

The nurses at Grand River Hospital in Waterloo went above and beyond the call of duty. The nursing staff were excellent, friendly, professional and caring.
-Member of the Public, Waterloo

My wife is a RN and I know what she goes through being a nurse. It is hard work and not as easy as some people think. I do believe like in the ads that they should be paid like pro athletes. My personal dealings with other nurses have been great because I know what they do so I treat them with respect and in return they respect me. I thank ALL nurses for doing the job they do! They are the front line workers and I respect them.
-Husband of an RN, Ontario

I really love the new radio advertisements. If we really take a look at it, pro-athletes (although very hard working in their own right) are playing a game for a living. Nurses are helping to save lives for a living! I'm on team Nurses!! Thank you for everything!
-Health Care User, Thunder Bay

A couple of months ago I had to stay in hospital. Just remembering how the nurses cared for me like I was of their own brings me to tears. They took care of my body as well as my spirit. They made me laugh, they made me feel safe, they made me feel like I would be okay.
-Health Care User, Ottawa

I'm a nursing student and you give me the motivation to be as knowledgeable, caring, and passionate as you! Thanks for giving me something to strive towards!
-Nursing Student, Toronto

As front line workers, you deserve only the best. I personally have always received the best of care from nurses. My daughter is a recently graduated nurse in Ottawa and loves her “vocation”. Yes she has bad days but when a patient’s family gives her a big hug it makes it all worth while. It makes me extremely proud to say she is a Nurse.
-Mother of a Nurse, Mississauga

You are a special group of people doing something that the majority of the population could NOT, including me! You have to be compassionate, giving and be strong willed. You see joy and tears, life and death on a fairly frequent basis and continue doing what you do. For that we should thank you and applaud you. And yes we should put you on a pedestal and you should be treated with the utmost respect.
-Member of the Public, Ottawa

Value the invaluable is THE perfect statement. As nurses I believe that sometimes our care is over-looked and under-valued however our patients and families make it all worth it.
-Registered Nurse, Hamilton

As my dad was recovering from surgery, with my Mom and me sitting next to him, a nurse entered the room and realized Dad was not sleeping but unresponsive. She called a code blue and saved his life! All the nurses were caring,compassionate, and professional. Thank you for all your hard work.
-Daughter, Toronto

At a recent week stay at a hospital after undergoing heart surgery I had my eyes opened to the always upbeat, caring and highly professional nurses that although extremely busy were always there to help and carry out highly skilled tasks that until now I thought would only be done by doctors. From the bottom of my newly fixed heart I want to thank you all for the care you extended to me.
-Patient, Ontario

I've always valued nurses. Maybe I'm a little biased because my mother is a nurse and my mother-in-law is also a nurse but I truly believe it is one of the most difficult jobs there is.
-Member of the public, Kingston

Because I do it! And we do it with PRIDE Outcomes are continuously shown to be better when an RN is caring for patients--sometimes without having had their own breaks or seeing their own families. We sacrifice every shift to be there providing quality patient care! We are there on holidays, at 0200, in snow-storms--constantly putting patients first! So we deserve to be recognized for that outstanding work!
-Nurse, Kitchener-Waterloo

Without that ER nurse's knowledge and kindness I wouldn't be here to praise and thank her.
-Former patient, Toronto

For the countless hours you have to literally be a slave at the hospital to keep the patients happy, as relaxed as possible, safe and comfortable. And you do it with smiles, and with a compassion that only some can do. You are a special kind of angel down here on earth. Thank you! You ARE heros...each and every day.
-Member of the Public, Ottawa

You need to be cut from one exceptional cloth to be a Nurse, to be a kind caring compassionate professional and still be able to have your own life and not take patients home with you. I put Nurses on a pedestal. They are dedicated to their work and take it over and above the call of duty. The hours are not desirable and I believe the salary that goes with being a nurse is not appropriate. I believe they are under paid. I would like to say thank you to each and every nurse, it is a dedication which speaks volumes as to the person you are.
-Health care user, Markham

"Doctors may fix your body, but nurses care for your soul. They're there when you're puking, crying, worrying, or just feeling lonely. I've known a few nurses personally before and I know that you work long hours with little compensation, I know it's hard on you. Also a night nurse is the reason that I am now smoke-free for over a year, her kind comments and simple "you really shouldn't smoke" somehow finally broke through for me. So she also saved my life.
-Former patient, Toronto

Six years ago, my father was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour and only given a few weeks to live. There was no question that we would take him home to live out his final days in the beautiful surroundings he loved so much. To say those were difficult days for my family, as we dealt with the shock and challenges of his deteriorating condition and the pain of knowing the eventual outcome, would be a gross understatement. But we couldn’t possibly have known from the outset the impact his palliative home care nurses would make. When he passed away, it was our home care nurse, Margaret, who cried along with us. Quite simply, they were our angels – and we have never forgotten them.
-Daughter, Orangeville

The nurses at the Ottawa General Hospital are all great but I'd like to especially thank those on the rad/onc floor. They took care of my grandma for a few weeks after she was diagnosed with cancer. The nurses were professional honest and provided my family with the answers we needed in unfamiliar territory. You are all superstars.
-Granddaughter, Ottawa

A hospital nurse in Mississauga comforted my son while he was getting his blood drawn. She was compassionate and caring and made the experience a bit more bearable for him.
-Mother, Mississauga

The nurses who cared for my father while he was in palliative care made the difference between his “dying” and “living while dying.”When my father died, the nurses literally circled us in a group hug, made us a cup of tea and allowed us time to absorb the shock. To him and to his family, they were the best thing during very sad times.
-Daughter, Scarborough