Local nurses are observing National Nurses Week, which starts Wednesday

National Nurses Week begins Wednesday and runs through May 12th--Florence Nightengale's birthday.  Nightingale was the founder of nursing.

The weeklong observance is held to honor the role nursesplay in providing high quality care to their patients.   There are roughly 2.7million nurses in the U.S. today.  130 of those nurses work at Winneshiek Medical Center and theDecorah, Mabel or Ossian Clinic or with the Home Health andHospice department.

"From an early age I knew nursing was my vocation," saysWMC nurse Marianne Stalberger.  "I love working with acare team that has chosen to dedicate themselves to helping others."