Tomorrow begins National Nurses Week! While nurses deserve our appreciation, praise and respect 365 days out of the year, this is the week where we can really bring our thanks into the spotlight, letting nurses know just how much they are appreciated for all the work they do.

Why do nurses deserve so much love? Here are four reasons why everyone should thank a nurse this week!

#1 They are the Most Trusted Profession

For the last 15 years, Gallup polls have found that nurses are ranked as the #1 most trusted profession in the US. 84 percent of Americans rated nurses' honesty and ethical standards as "very high" or "high" The closest profession, pharmacists, was rated 17 percentage points behind.

#2 They Care for Everyone

Whether they are performing late night checks, explaining confusing medical terminology or simply making patients more comfortable, nurses care for every person who walks through the door. They come to work when it snows, when they aren't feeling well and on weekends and holidays. Through all the good and bad times, they are there to stay calm and treat patients no matter the circumstances.

#3 They Take on Many Roles in the Hospital

Both the companies who employ them and their patients understand that nurses are so much more than caregivers. Not only are they well-versed in multiple fields of medicine, they also act as:

• Teachers: they provide patients with all the information they need on their condition and treatment.

• Advocates: they help patients get the care and comfort that they need.

• Point of contact: they foster communication by relaying messages among patients, doctors and hospital administrators.

• Salespeople: patients choose hospitals based on the level of care they receive, and nurses are on the frontline of healthcare delivery.

#4 They Never Stop Moving

Whether they are working an 8, 10 or even 12-hour shift (not including overtime), nurses are always on the move. They cover so much ground during the average shift that hospitals have changed their design and layout to help them become more efficient. Long hours and hard work is a given in the nursing field, but many nurses keep at it for decades. For that, they deserve our thanks.