During Nurses Week 2024, the Ohio’s Hospice Nursing Honor Guard held several ceremonies throughout Ohio to pay tribute to the dedicated nurses who have spent their careers caring for patients. The events, which took place at Ohio’s Hospice locations in Newark, New Philadelphia, Wooster, and Dayton, aimed to show appreciation for the tireless work of nurses and celebrate their contributions to the field of hospice care. 

The first event was held on May 8 at the Ohio’s Hospice Newark office, where the Nursing Honor Guard presented a special ceremony to honor nurses who support our mission daily. The tribute, which lasted approximately 15 minutes, featured readings and the traditional Nursing Honor Guard presentation. The event was attended by nursing staff, who were invited to participate either in person or via a live Teams call. The ceremony aimed to honor nurses with appreciation and gratitude for their work in fulfilling Ohio’s Hospice’s mission. 

Similar events were held on May 10 at Ohio’s Hospice Truman House in New Philadelphia and Gault inpatient care center in Wooster. These ceremonies included the Nursing Honor Guard presentation and a Blessing of the Hands, performed by volunteer chaplains. The events provided an opportunity for team building and allowed clinical staff, administrative staff, volunteers, and family members to come together in support of the nurses being honored. The ceremonies also generated interest among nurses and volunteers to support the Ohio’s Hospice Nursing Honor Guard program in the future. 

The Nursing Honor Guard Tribute was held on May 10 at the Dayton campus Bell Tower. The ceremony highlighted the accomplishments of the Nursing Honor Guard program, which has completed more than 260 tributes since its inception in 2016. The event has been held annually since 2016, with the exception of 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and will continue to be a yearly celebration at Ohio’s Hospice. 

The Nursing Honor Guard at Ohio’s Hospice is a ceremony to honor the nurse patients in our care. During the ceremonies, nurses dress in traditional blue nursing capes, white uniforms, and caps. The honoree’s nursing career and individual achievements are highlighted, and the ceremony includes the recitation of the Florence Nightingale pledge. A final call to duty is performed, in which the honoree’s name is called out three times to release them from service, followed by the proclamation: “Though your nursing tasks are complete, they are not forgotten.” 

The Nursing Honor Guard program at Ohio’s Hospice, developed by a shared decision-making council in 2016, has become an integral part of the organization’s mission to celebrate the nurse patients it serves by providing superior care and services to each patient and family. The ceremonies held during Nurses Week 2024 demonstrate the ongoing commitment of Ohio’s Hospice to honor and support the dedicated nurses who make their work possible.