Pictured are nurses Vivian Lyons, Cindy Gilstrap, Kami Thrasher, Carol Floriani, Sabrina Rackley and Madison Estes.

COUNTY — Every year, National Nurses Week shines light on America’s 3.1 million registered nurses who work to save lives and improve the health of millions of individuals.

The American Nurses Association (ANA) has selected “Delivering Quality and Innovation in Patient Care” as the theme for 2013. Beginning on May 6, marked as RN Recognition Day, the week-long celebration includes programs and events across the country.

In honor of the dedication and commitment of registered nurses to promote and maintain the health of this nation, Hospice Care of South Carolina (HCSC) proudly recognizes nurses everywhere for their tireless efforts in delivering quality and innovative patient care.

“Nursing is a very giving profession. Nurses provide answers, compassion and support to those in need,” said Joy Workman, Community Relations Liaison. “Their value in our community is immeasurable.”

Locally in honor of National Nurses Week, HCSC will celebrate with a focus on their highly trained staff of nurses who provide specialized care to patients at end-of-life. Registered nurses are the core of the interdisciplinary team in the local office who work together to anticipate and meet the needs of the patients and families of our county facing terminal illness.

Hospice nurses distinguish themselves from their colleagues in other nursing specialty practices by their unwavering focus on quality of life at the end-of-life. HCSC promotes the high ethical standards and knowledge, emotional and physical stability, and compassionate communication skills that are required in meeting the unique needs of terminally ill patients and grieving families.

Statewide, HCSC employs nearly 40 percent of all certified hospice and palliative care licensed nurses. In 2012, HCSC, the state’s leading hospice care provider, received the National Employer of the Year Award from the National Board for Certification of Hospice and Palliative Nurses.

With 33 local offices that serve all 46 counties in the state, HCSC has been devoted to enriching life and making a difference for every patient that is touched by advanced illness since 1997. HCSC is the only South Carolina hospice provider that trains other healthcare providers in every curriculum of the End of Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC), a nationally accredited course in all areas (CORE, Critical Care, Geriatric, Veterans and Pediatrics).