LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A few hundred overnight nurses with Norton Healthcare received some special care packages this weekend from a university whose mascot is a night owl. Fitting right?
Each kit was packaged by volunteers from Western Governors University and contained a collection of pick-me-ups like snacks, novelty gifts like sleep masks, and pen lights for those long nights.
Nurses at both Norton Children's and Audubon Hospital were instructed to open them when the clocks struck 2 a.m. Sunday for Daylight Saving, the time we all turned back an hour. For any third shifter, that meant an extra hour of work and WGU wanted to acknowledge their dedication.
"From working nights all those years, the most depressing thing is when the maintenance man comes around and turns your clocks back, and it's like, 'no please!' It was so close to being done and you're ruining it for me! Not another hour!" Mary Carney, WGU's Director of Nursing said.
WGU's been successful across the region with its night shift campaign, but this was a first in Kentucky. In all, about 600 nurses statewide opened the care packages Sunday.
"Night shift workers have played an integral role in keeping Kentucky running in the face of a global pandemic," Jelda Hostetler, WGU's Strategic Partnerships Manager in Kentucky said. “Especially now, it’s important that we recognize the hard work of healthcare workers, including WGU students who also work the night shift, and I’m proud to represent an organization that honors their dedication.”
PHOTOS: Kentucky nightshift Nurses honored
These nurses also have the chance to receive WGU's annual Night Shift Nurse scholarship, worth $3,000 to night shift nurses looking to further their professions. Applications are due Dec. 31. For more information and to apply, click here.
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