Hazel Crest nurses celebrate Nurses Week with a time-honored tradition

Nurses of Hazel Crest-based Advocate South Suburban Hospital reflected on their dedication to the nursing profession and renewed their commitment to the communities their healing hands serve, during a May 8 Blessing of the Hands ceremony.

The Blessing of the Hands is an annual, nondenominational tradition that marks the beginning of National Nurses Week, which is celebrated May 6 – 12. The ceremonial blessing, candle lighting and anointing of the hands recognizes the compassion, healing and heartfelt commitment – all embodied by the touch – of women and men in the nursing profession.

“I’ve been here for 10 years and we’ve always started Nurses Week with the Blessing of the Hands. It’s truly our tradition,” said Sharon Ottn, RN, vice president and chief nursing officer, Advocate South Suburban Hospital.

Even during the pandemic, when the need for social distancing ruled out the traditional gathering of the hospital’s 470 registered and certified nurses for one large ceremony, Advocate South Suburban’s nursing team continued the tradition via a virtual chain of blessings that replicated the ceremony in small groups.

Over 40 nurses from all areas of the hospital attended the brief afternoon ceremony. Nurses who could not be present will receive the hand blessing in smaller groups on their units.

“I love that we get a chance to take an opportunity to really acknowledge the work that’s done by our nurses,” said Michelle Y. Blakely, PhD, president of Advocate South Suburban and Advocate Trinity Hospital, in Chicago. “We know that people come in, certainly, for the clinical expertise that is provided by our physicians when they are determining what we need to do for our patients. But the actual well work…what goes on 24/7 is what’s provided by you as out nurses.”

The Blessing of the Hands is one of several activities planned for Advocate South Suburban’s Nurses Week celebration. Throughout the week, will enjoy nursing research presentations, nursing history trivia contests, recognition awards and activities to help hardworking nurses take a break from their work and relax.

“Nursing is an art and a science.,” Sharon said, explaining that in addition to the clinical side, nursing care includes emotional and spiritual components.” That’s how we connect with everyone,” she said. “The Blessing of the Hands brings us back [to these fundamentals of] compassionate, connected care. It keeps us grounded.”