In a world in which both medical breakthroughs and technological advancements seem to dominate the healthcare landscape, it’s easy to overlook the unsung heroes who work tirelessly to ensure that patients receive the specialized care they need. Vascular Nurses Week—Sept. 10–16—serves as a reminder of the role vascular professionals play in patient care, education and research.
Kristen Alix, MS, ANP-BC, AGACNP-BC, CVN, a vascular nurse since 1997 and the president of the Society for Vascular Nursing (SVN), emphasizes that this celebratory week is about more than receiving recognition. It’s also a platform for education, advocacy and a call to raise awareness about vascular health.
Alix’s interest in vascular nursing stems from the challenges posed by this specialty. “The vascular patient as a whole is a big medical puzzle for people to solve,” she said. “Such patients present a variety of comorbidities, including hypertension, cardiac disease, renal disease or diabetes, not to mention the complicated social challenges. The vascular nurse is an individual contributor to the patient’s success before, after and sometimes during the surgery.”
Alix noted that vascular nursing is a vocation not for the faint of heart, as it places vascular nurses at the forefront of patient care.
Founded in 1982, the SVN emerged as a society that formally acknowledged vascular nursing as a specialized field.
The society is not composed solely of nurses, but incudes a diverse assembly of providers, researchers and leaders, spanning the spectrum of healthcare contributors.
“My attraction to vascular nursing stems from the critical thinking and the creativity needed to help solve the patient’s issue,” she said.
As Vascular Nurses Week neared, Alix and the SVN invited everyone to take a moment and express appreciation for the dedication, compassion and expertise of these healthcare professionals. Throughout the celebratory week, the SVN urges individuals to amplify the message by sharing the hashtag #IAMSVN across social media platforms.
The SVN also advocates for individuals to consider offering the gift of membership to their nurse practitioners and nursing teams.
To give the gift of membership and join in this movement, visit www.svnnet.org/page/ GIFTOFMEMBERSHIP.
