The Power of Nurses at Northwell Health

By Dr. John D'Angelo, CEO, Northwell Health

As we officially kick off National Nurses Week and look ahead to National Hospital Week just around the corner, we celebrate the unwavering compassion and dedication of our 106,000 employees — including our remarkable team of nurses — bring to every patient interaction across Northwell Health.

Northwell has more than 22,000 nurses across our New York and Connecticut hospitals, medical practices and outpatient locations, and they truly form the heart of our operations. They embody our mission every single day, providing care with incredible strength and empathy

Whether providing direct patient care, managing vital operations, leading teams or influencing community health initiatives, their tireless efforts build stronger, healthier communities. As advocates, innovators and pillars of trust, they master evolving technologies and complex care scenarios, always putting patients’ well-being first. It is this collective spirit and diverse expertise that enables us to deliver outstanding care and create a supportive environment for both patients and staff.

Nurses hold a distinct and critical position at the core of healthcare. They are far more than caregivers; they are the constant presence at the bedside, the first to recognize a subtle change in a patient’s condition and often the last to offer a comforting word at the end of a shift. Their expertise extends far beyond medical procedures; it encompasses a deep understanding of human physiology, pharmacology and psychology.

Nurses apply critical thinking every moment, making rapid, life-saving decisions, navigating complex care plans with precision and ensuring patient safety is always paramount.

Nurses are also the compassionate listeners, patient educators and fierce advocates. They bridge the gap between medical jargon and understanding, patiently explaining diagnoses and treatments to anxious families and ensuring every patient’s voice is heard and respected. They don't just treat illnesses; they care for the whole person, addressing physical, emotional and even spiritual needs, providing dignity and comfort during some of life’s most vulnerable moments.

Whether in the high-stakes environment of an emergency room, the quiet care of an oncology unit, the intricacies of an ICU, the fast pace of an operating room or the vital education provided in an outpatient clinic, our nurses adapt with unparalleled grace and skill. Their resilience in the face of demanding schedules, emotional challenges and rapid advancements in healthcare is nothing short of inspiring.

It is this multifaceted, indispensable role — combining extraordinary skill, science and caring — that makes this year’s National Nurses Week theme, “The Power of Nurses,” so exceptionally fitting. This week, and every week, we recognize that our nurses are not just caregivers; they are heroes, leaders, innovators and the very heartbeat of our health system.

We extend our deepest gratitude to every nurse for their tireless devotion, profound caring and admirable commitment to our patients, our communities and our mission.