AAOHN Celebrates National Occupational Health Nursing Week

Atlanta, GA – To recognize the contributions of the occupational and environmental health nursing profession, the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Inc. (AAOHN) recently celebrated the fourth annual National Occupational Health Nursing Week April 16-20. This year's theme was "Occupational Health Nurses: Promoting Workforce Health, Safety and Productivity."

"This year's theme recognizes occupational and environmental health nurses' (OHN) role in promoting health, safety and productivity for the nation's workforce," said Ms. Randolph. "Most people understand the function of a nurse in a clinical setting, but not everyone is aware that there are also nurses who work in business environments. Through case management, counseling, health promotion and wellness activities, legal and regulatory compliance, and workplace hazard detection, OHNs improve the health of employees to contribute to a healthy bottom line for businesses."

"As part of the celebration and recognition activities for this year's OHN Week, AAOHN is encouraging its members to raise employers', employees' and the public's awareness and understanding of the importance of occupational health, safety and the environment in everyone's lives," said Susan A. Randolph, president of AAOHN.

"Our goal in establishing an official recognition week for occupational and environmental health nurses is to assist employees, employers and the general public in gaining a better understanding of the roles and responsibilities of OHNs who further the health and safety of the millions of people in our nation's workforce," Ms. Randolph said. "As business partners to the corporate enterprise and as health care professionals, occupational and environmental health nurses are champions of investing in the health of employee populations. The primary focus of occupational and environmental health nursing is the promotion and restoration of health, prevention of illness and injury, and protection from occupational and environmental hazards."

The April dates for National Occupational Health Nursing Week commemorate the inception of the first professional association for occupational and environmental health nurses on April 19, 1942, when 300 nurses from 16 states founded the American Association of Industrial Nurses (AAIN), the predecessor to AAOHN.

AAOHN held its fourth annual Symposium & Expo during National Occupational Health Nursing Week, from April 13-20, in Orlando, Fla. With more than 1,500 occupational and environmental health nurses and more than 100 exhibitors in attendance, AAOHN's 2007 Symposium & Expo is the premier educational and networking event for the occupational and environmental health profession.

To learn more about occupational and environmental health nursing, the AAOHN Symposium & Expo or National Occupational Health Nursing Week, visit www.aaohn.org.

SOURCE: AAOHN