Vascular nurses knock my compression socks off! And I know you love them, too.

These hard-working nurses deserve our appreciation for caring for patients and families battling debilitating vascular conditions. Join me in taking a moment to recognize our vascular nurse friends.

We celebrate Vascular Nurses Week 2022 on September 4–10. This article prepares you to honor the special nurses in this field with a glimpse of what vascular nursing is all about and how you celebrate this week.

• What is Cardiac-Vascular Nursing?
• Cardiac-Vascular Nurses Week 2022 Ideas
• STEPtember Vascular Health Challenge

What is Cardiac-Vascular Nursing?

Vascular nursing is a specialty dealing with vascular diseases and patients undergoing vascular surgery.

Vascular conditions affect arteries or veins. They may:

• Affect blood flow
• Damage vein valves
• Weaken vessels
• Block blood flow to/from vital organs

Vascular diseases negatively affect the quality of life. That’s why vascular nurses must be compassionate and dedicated to caring for patients and families.

Three common vascular disease conditions that vascular nurses treat are:

• Cerebrovascular disease, CVAs, or strokes
• Coronary artery disease and heart attacks
• Peripheral arterial disease (PAD)

Today’s vascular surgery patients are more susceptible to complications. They often have complex medical comorbidities. So, vascular nurses must have sharp clinical skills.

The Society for Vascular Nursing (SVN), founded in 1982, formally recognized vascular nursing as a specialty.

Cardiac-Vascular Nurses Week 2022 Ideas

You can see why cardiac/vascular nurses are special and why we should appreciate them. If your workplace has nothing planned for Cardiac-Vascular Nurses Week 2022, it’s not too late to organize an event and show your gratitude!

Here are a few ideas from the Society for Vascular Nursing (SVN) on celebrating Cardiac-Vascular Nurses Week 2022.

• Create a calendar of events for the week with vascular care-themed tips or prizes.
• Honor colleagues with recognition award certificates or plaques.
• Nominate a vascular nurse for special recognition and present awards during a reception or celebration dinner.
• Design and display a special poster that highlights the role of vascular nurses.
• Share your appreciation for vascular nursing by writing an article or “letter to the editor” about current topics affecting patients with vascular diseases.
• Ask local radio and TV stations to announce National Vascular Nurses Week.
• Host a workplace fundraiser and donate the money to a cause related to vascular disease prevention or education.

Or better yet, organize a STEPtember Vascular Health Challenge at your workplace. What is a STEPtember challenge, you ask?

STEPtember Vascular Health Challenge

During September, which is Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) Awareness month, the Society for Vascular Surgery Foundation challenges you to walk 60 miles for prizes. What’s more, you will promote positive health for the 60,000 miles of blood vessels in your body. It’s straightforward.

Here’s how to accept the challenge.

1. Sign up with a $60 donation and invite friends, family, and colleagues to join your team.
2. Download the app on your smartphone to sync to your fitness device.
3. Walk 60 miles during September.

That’s it!

All registered walkers receive a T-shirt. You can log miles manually on the app if you don’t use a personal fitness device like a Fitbit or Apple Watch. Getting 60 miles in should be a breeze for my bedside nurses. Just think of how many miles you could rack up if you got your entire unit to join the team! And bonus, walking is a great exercise for your mind and body.

Takeaway

Now you are ready to celebrate the vascular nurse in your life. Happy #VascularNursesWeek 2022!

And if you want to recognize that certain vascular nurse in your life, tell us about them below. Tell a friend you read this on Capsol and check out our resource center for news, updates, and much more. Join us today!