BLOOMINGTON, Minn., May 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Rasmussen College is partnering with the American Nurses Association (ANA) to honor the contributions and commitment of America's 3.1 million registered nurses during National Nurses Week, May 6-12. Throughout the week, Rasmussen will host a number of community events supporting this year's theme, "Nurses: Advocating, Leading, Caring."

One of the nation's largest health care events, National Nurses Week begins with National Nurses Day/RN Recognition Day on May 6 and concludes May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, founder of modern nursing.

"The nursing profession is both an art and a science—it's as much about providing quality of care as it is providing a caring touch to those in need," said Rasmussen College Senior Vice President of Nursing, Florence Richman, Ph.D., NEA-BC. "We're very pleased to celebrate the vital contributions these dedicated professionals make every day to improving patient care and safety and ensuring a compassionate environment within the health care system."

Nearly everyone's life has been touched, and in many cases saved, by a nurse. Whether it is falling ill at school, a visit to the doctor's office or a life-threatening illness, tens of thousands of Americans rely on the knowledge and care of nurses each day. Now more than ever, nurses play a vital role in the country's health care system as they are called on to provide primary care services to meet an ever-growing demand and implement measures to help improve the quality of care.

With increased responsibilities, aging baby boomers and a growing number of retiring nurses, the demand for nurses is great. Researchers estimate a shortage of nearly 260,000 nurses by the year 2025. The number of positions in licensed practical, licensed vocational and registered nursing is expected to grow more than 20 percent each.

Rasmussen College is dedicated to training the next generation of nurses with programs tailored to various stages in the nursing profession from a practical nursing diploma to a Bachelor of Science in nursing. Courses are scheduled on campus or online to accommodate health care workers looking to further their education and those just getting started in the field.

For more information on Rasmussen College visit www.Rasmussen.edu.

To view this release in full, visit: http://www.rasmussen.edu/press-release/2012-05-07/rasmussen-college-celebrates-national-nurses-week-with-a-host-of-community-events/.

ABOUT RASMUSSEN COLLEGE
An innovator of higher education, Rasmussen College is a regionally accredited, private college that specializes in offering the most in-demand degree programs in a highly supportive, student-centered educational environment.  Rasmussen College offers market-relevant programs from the certificate and diploma level through the associate's and bachelor's level online and across its 22 campuses in the Midwest and Florida to more than 15,000 students. By combining its expertise in career development with high academic standards and with unparalleled student support services, graduates of Rasmussen College leave with the most up-to-date knowledge, the skills that employers look for, and the tools to succeed in their chosen field.  Since 1900, the primary focus at Rasmussen College has remained constant: student achievement is of the upmost importance, the employer who hires its students continues to be a valued partner, and Rasmussen College is dedicated to being a primary contributor to the growth and development of the communities it serves. For more information about Rasmussen College, please visit www.Rasmussen.edu.

SOURCE Rasmussen College