Salinas Valley Health Celebrates Certified Nurses Day

Media Contact: Karina Rusk
831-759-1843

March 18, 2022 – After two long years of the COVID-19 pandemic, the celebration of Certified Nurses Day takes on special meaning at Salinas Valley Health (Salinas Valley Health). With just three COVID-19 patients in their care on Friday, certified nurses at the Hospital enjoy marking the national day of recognition even more than last year when the COVID-19 patient population was significantly higher.

The celebration honoring certified nurses included handing out orchids, stainless steel water bottles and pens to the 255 Salinas Valley Health Board Certified Nurses on staff. The nursing team at Salinas Valley Health Medical Center takes great pride in pursuing higher education and other training in advancing their nursing practice and this is the first Certified Nurses Day celebration since receiving the prestigious Magnet Recognition ® in May 2021.

“We have a lot to celebrate,” says Becky Rodriquez, RN at Salinas Valley Health. “It’s wonderful to be a part of an organization that celebrates all of these important milestones with us. We also so appreciate the community's support during these difficult COVID-19 years. Every time I would be in the grocery store or something in my uniform, someone would say thank you. That means a lot to us.”

Another sign of community support for the profession is demonstrated by the generous orchid donation by Matsui nursery to help honor nurses at Salinas Valley Health for National Certified Nurses Day, officially recognized worldwide every March 19.  The designated day calls attention to those healthcare professionals who contribute to better patient outcomes through national board certification in their specialty.

The American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet Recognition ® is the highest distinction that a healthcare organization can achieve for nursing excellence and is only achieved by 9% of hospitals nationwide. The Magnet Model provides a framework for nursing practice, research, and measurement of outcomes. The foundation of this model comprises various elements deemed essential to delivering superior patient care. These include the quality of nursing leadership and coordination and collaboration across specialties, as well as processes for measuring and improving the quality and delivery of care.

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About Salinas Valley Health

Salinas Valley Health (Salinas Valley Health) is dedicated to improving the health and wellness of the region through an integrated network of health care initiatives, services and facilities. In addition to an acute care, public district hospital licensed for 263 beds, the system includes Salinas Valley Health Clinics, a multi-location clinic expanding access to primary and specialty care, and offers 13 urgent care locations. Salinas Valley Health is one of the area’s largest employers with a staff of more than 2000, and is a leader in providing nationally recognized quality care. Collaboration is an important operating principle for Salinas Valley Health in such key areas as our Level III NICU which is operated in a joint venture with Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford; The Madison Clinic for Pediatric Diabetes, partnership with UCSF; Aspire Health Plan, Monterey County’s only Medicare Advantage program; Community Health Innovations and Blue Zones Project Monterey County, building a community where people live longer and live healthier. For more information, visit www.svmh.com