To honor all of the Certified Nurses out there we want to give you a very special gift.  As a thank you we would like to give you 10% off and free shipping on your next order!   All you need to do is use promo code CNDBP at check out to receive your discount. (offer valid through 03/31/10) If you have a friend or family member who is a nurse please share this offer with them. Happy Certified Nurses Day!

It has been over two weeks since a devastating earthquake struck the island nation of Haiti. Within days of this tragic event medical professionals from around the world sprang into action and made their way to Haiti.  Tafford is proud to support the American Nurses Association and their efforts in Haiti.  This week we packed up over 400 scrub tops and pants to be sent down to volunteers in the disaster zone.  In addition to the scrub domination we started a campaign that allows our customers to help as well.  From now through February 2^ndwe will donate $1 for every heart scrub top or jacket purchased using promotional code TAFHEART2. The donations will benefit the American Nurses Foundation Haiti Relief Fund and will go toward disaster relief, including rebuilding the Haitian nursing infrastructure and assisting the National Association of Haitian Nurses, Association Nationale des Infirmieres Licenciees d’Haiti.

While the disaster in Haiti is receiving a lot of media attention there are places around the world that need help every day.  A group of volunteers led by Dr. Yell Inverso is planning a two week trip to Kenya to help locals with hearing and ear health care issues. Their goal is to emphasize the link between good hearing and quality of life and providing sustainable audiological services. As we did last year, Tafford will be donating scrubs for the group to wear during their trip.  To find out more about their trip follow their blog (if you see any solid scrub in the pictures – they’re Tafford Essentials)!

2010 has been declared as the by the United Nations as the “International Year of the Nurse.”  Nurses play a vital role in healthcare world wide, but sadly they often do not receive the credit they deserve.  The goal of the International Year of the Nurse is to not only bring awareness to the roles that nurses play in the global health but also to inspire nurses to bond together to help their local, national and global communities with acts of service.

This year was selected because it marks an historic event, the 100^th anniversary of the passing of arguably the most famous nurse of all time, Florence Nightingale.  Nightingale had a lasting impact on the nursing field that is still felt today.  To honor her spirit this year all of the estimated 15 million nurses world wide are asked to go out and perform good — not only at their jobs but also in their communities. Groups such as the nurses from Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center are holding events like the “Celebration of Caring” to start the year.

Tafford is proud to support nurses and all of the invaluable services they provide.

“During my military career I had life-altering experiences taking care of not only wounded solders as a medic, but as a care-provider to impoverished and sickened patients in our treatment tents,” said Davis.  “It was these life-changing experiences that led me to make the decision of nursing as a career.”

Frederick Giertz Jr., a BSN student at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan, faced a tough decision after losing his job as an auto worker.  “I decided that I would learn to do something that would do more that just earn me a paycheck. I want to do something that will make a difference,” said Giertz.

Frederick made the decision on a new career while his father was in the hospital. “I watched the care that my father received after heart surgery, and I knew I could be a nurse,” Giertz continued.  After spending two years completing the necessary prerequisites, Frederick is now enrolled in the BSN program at Oakland University.

“Frederick and Kerry are two extremely deserving recipients of the Tafford Uniforms Nursing Scholarship,” said Gene S. Godick, CEO of Tafford Uniforms.  “Military veterans and auto workers face serious challenges in today’s environment, and we are pleased to help Frederick and Kerry complete their pursuit of nursing degrees.  We look forward to watching them achieve their goals.

Tafford Uniforms anticipates to continue awarding nursing scholarships twice per year on an ongoing basis.  Students eligible to apply must be enrolled in an accredited nursing program towards an associate’s (or LPN, LVN) bachelor’s (BSN) or master’s (MSN) degree in nursing.  Tafford is currently accepting applications for the next round of scholarships to be awarded in early 2010.  To apply for a Tafford Uniforms Nursing Scholarship please visit: www.tafford.com/scholarship.htm

A nurse’s aide to be crowned African king- After living in the United States for 25 years and working at a nurse’s aid, Charles Wesley Mumbere, is returning to his native Uganda in royal fashion.  Mumbere was crowned King of Rwenzururu this week.

Nurses are going out into the community to talk to teenagers about dangers of driving – As part of a new state program, ICU Nurses in Arkansas have been speaking to high school students about the dangers of driving.  The nurses hope that their presentations will help to reduce the number of teens killed each year by car accidents.

Nursing student saves here 78-year-old neighbor from fire – Vicki Blevins was about to lay down to take a nap on Wednesday when she heard a scream come from outside of her house.  She ran out to find smoking pouring out of her 78 year old neighbors home.  Vicki sprung into action and rescued her neighbor from the flames.

Scrubs Camps give students opportunity to explore health care careers - In the coming months a number of events aimed at giving high school students a glimpse into the medical professions will be held throughout South Dakota.  Students will be exposed to a variety of professions within the medical field to discover if a career in medicine is for them. 

‘A happy ending’ after nurse assists struggling diner at Dewey Destin’s - While dining out at a local restaurant a nurse sprung into action when another patron had a heart attack.  With the help of a defibrillator and fast action the patron survived. 

Retired Arizona nurse among 10 Americans chosen to receive national award - Frances Stout, a retired registered nurse and chairperson of the Tohono O’odham Nursing Care Authority (TONCA) in Sells, Ariz., to receive a Community Health Leaders Award.  Stout has used her 33 years of experience to establish nursing facility for elderly Native Americans. 

Thanks for stopping by the Tafford blog!  To receive 15% off of your order  and free shipping on orders over $50  please use promo code TE9C4  between now and Sunday, October 11th!

Nurses Get Learning Boost from Robotic Patients: Several nursing schools throughout the county including, Trinitas School of Nursing in Elizabeth, New Jersey, have begun to use robots to give students hands-on opportunities to work with differing medical conditions.

Nurse Helps Cancer Patients Chart Their Course: Heather Czaja, a registered nurse of 13 years, helps to guide women through some of the most difficult situations.  Heather’s technical knowledge  and experiance help her to explain complex procedures to people who are at the very least worried and sometimes frightened.

Colorado Doctors, Nurses Donate Time to Save Zoo Gorilla:   Joseph Hegarty, an ear surgeon and a team from Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs pitched in to save Rafiki, a 25 year old silver back gorilla, with a serious ear infection.