 The St. Lucian Nurses Association observes nurses a week with a month-long celebration of the extraordinary work of the nurses. More in this report from Fernelle Neptune. Nurses around the island were honored and celebrated for their dedication and commitment to their profession. The St. Lucian Nurses Association recently held a church service and awards ceremony at the Temple of Fame Pentecostal Church, placing focus on how critical nurses are especially during this COVID-19 pandemic. President of the St. Lucian Nurses Association, Alicia Baptiste, thanked the nurses for their efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the world. The way we live, socialize, work, interact with each other, and the way we deliver nursing care. It has raised the visibility of nurses like never before and underlined that nurses are indispensable to healthcare and the backbone of every health service. Nurses are on the front lines of this pandemic, separated from their loved ones and praised as heroes. But nurses are human. They are not angels or superheroes. They have the same needs and rights as everyone else. Pastor of the Temple of Fame Pentecostal Church, Pastor John Joseph, saluted all the nurses and recognized the invaluable work they continue to do. The routines that I love about nurses, they immense pride in what they do in the world. You know what to do and you believe you are made for this. And this is part of what you are aspiring to be. The parallel between nursing and pastoring only begins here. Our common role is to give care or self-care for others. Nurse Alicia Baptist also made a call to support the courage of the nurses under very challenging situations. Over the past year, nurses had some of the most critical roles and responsibilities during the pandemic. They will continue to be at the front line of healthcare in communities, primary healthcare and the acute care sector. Nurses have been leaders in ensuring that all patients receive patient-centered and high quality care. While performing in their roles and responsibility, nurses have sacrificed much, including their physical, mental and emotional health and even their very lives. National Nurses Week is celebrated under the theme, nurses, a voice to lead, a vision to future healthcare. Reporting from the Communications Unit of the Ministry of Health and Wellness, I am Penel Neptune.