SARASOTA, Fla., Aug. 4, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Rheumatology Nurses Society (RNS), a non-profit professional nursing organization committed to the development and education of nurses to benefit patients living with rheumatologic diseases, today announced its "Heroes of Caring" project, an effort aimed at recognizing and celebrating the extraordinary efforts of rheumatology nurses. A collaborative initiative made possible with the support of Horizon Pharma plc, the project will capture rheumatology nurses' real-life stories.
"Heroes of Caring" will kick off today at the 9th Annual RNS Conference in Cleveland, Ohio. Attendees will screen an inaugural video and be invited to share their personal experiences in a video diary booth at the meeting. The videos will be curated and ultimately posted on HeroesOfCaring.org, as well as other RNS social platforms.
"Rheumatology nurses are on the front lines of care and have the highest level of direct patient interaction," Iris Zink, president, Rheumatology Nurses Society, said. "'Heroes of Caring' seeks to showcase the remarkable work rheumatology nurses do each and every day on behalf of their patients. Each nurse has made his or her own unique mark in the field and we want to share these powerful stories of hope and healing with the world."
A small pilot group of nurses have already contributed their stories. Cathy Patty-Resk is a pediatric rheumatology nurse at Children's Hospital of Detroit.
"I am glad I was able to contribute to a collection of stories about rheumatology nurses that will live on forever," Patty-Resk said. "Outside of my own children, being a pediatric rheumatology nurse is everything to me. People often say, 'Isn't it hard to see kids who are so sick?' I say, 'They give me so much more than I give them.'"
For those nurses who will not be attending the conference, they can visit HeroesOfCaring.org after the meeting to share their stories online.
"Horizon is proud to support 'Heroes of Caring' to shed light on the incredible work rheumatology nurses are doing each day around the country," Vikram Karnani, rheumatology group vice president and general manager, Horizon Pharma plc, said. "We are privileged to partner with RNS and to help tell these extraordinary nursing stories, which in turn helps support and lend a powerful voice to those living with rheumatologic disorders."
About Rheumatology Nurse Society
The Rheumatology Nursing Society (RNS) is a nonprofit professional nursing organization formed in 2007, representing nurses who are engaged in clinical practice, education, and research for the care of patients with rheumatic diseases. Rheumatology nursing was recognized as a nursing specialty by the American Nurses Association (ANA) Board of Directors in 2012. The mission of RNS is to lead nurses to excellence in the care of patients with rheumatologic diseases. The society is committed to the development and education of nurses to benefit its members, patients, family, and community. For more information about rheumatology nursing and educational opportunities, please visit rnsnurse.org
About Horizon Pharma plc
Horizon Pharma plc is a biopharmaceutical company focused on improving patients' lives by identifying, developing, acquiring and commercializing differentiated and accessible medicines that address unmet medical needs. The Company markets nine medicines through its orphan, rheumatology and primary care business units. Horizon Pharma's global headquarters are in Dublin, Ireland. For more information, please visit http://www.horizonpharma.com/. Follow @HZNPplc on Twitter or view careers on our LinkedIn page.
SOURCE Rheumatology Nurses Society