The Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors proclaimed May 6–12, 2026, as National Nurses Week, recognizing the dedication, compassion, and impact nurses bring to the community every day.
The national theme, “The Power of Nurses,” honors the profession’s role in health care and community wellbeing, a role county leaders say is visible throughout Pottawattamie County, from public health outreach to correctional care.
During the Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday, Public Health Administrator Maria Sieck highlighted the wide-ranging work county nurses provide through programs that support residents of all ages.
“Public health nurses protect residents from communicable diseases. They educate on personal and reproductive health, and they connect individuals to resources that prevent illness and promote well-being,” Sieck said while recognizing nurses for “their dedication to our community, their compassion and the impact that they make.”
People are also reading…
Sieck also noted the role nurses play in services including immunization programs, WIC, reproductive health education, tuberculosis prevention, childcare health consultations, and disease prevention efforts throughout the county.
Within the Pottawattamie County Jail, Jail Administrator Trish Bernhards emphasized the challenges correctional nurses face while caring for vulnerable populations in a demanding environment.
“Working in corrections is a very unique work setting,” Bernhards said. “It’s even more unique for our medical staff, including our dedicated nurses.”
Bernhards described how jail nurses frequently work with individuals experiencing mental health crises, substance withdrawal, and other complex medical situations while maintaining compassion and professionalism under difficult circumstances.
“We couldn’t do what we have to do every day if we did not have them in our facility,” Bernhards said. “We are very grateful for our nursing staff.”
The proclamation aligns with the American Nurses Association’s national recognition of Nurses Week and calls on residents to honor registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, advanced practice nurses, and nursing support staff throughout the county.
As part of the national “Nurses Light Up the Sky” initiative, the Pottawattamie County Courthouse will also be illuminated in red during Nurses Week in recognition of nurses and their contributions to the community.
County nurses echoed the meaning behind this year’s theme through responses shared during National Nurses Week.
“Working in nursing and public health means providing a needed service to the community and making a direct impact on someone’s life,” one nurse shared.
Another described the profession’s impact in simple terms:
“It’s about knowing that I make a difference.”
Others reflected on the compassion and connection that define nursing care.
“It’s in the quiet moments, listening without judgment, offering reassurance, and simply being present, that the true power of nursing shows,” one county nurse explained.
Pottawattamie County encourages residents to take time during National Nurses Week to recognize and thank the nurses who serve the community every day through care, education, advocacy, and support.
