The Heart of Healing: Celebrating the Nurses Who Lead with Care
Each May, National Nurses Week gives us a reason to pause and reflect on the people who do some of the most emotionally and physically demanding work in healthcare. Nurses play an essential role in every care setting but especially in OB-GYN, oncology, and community health, where they often support women during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives.
At VPod, we believe nurses are more than healthcare providers. They are educators, advocates, and emotional anchors for patients navigating discomfort, uncertainty, and recovery. Their work deserves more than just recognition, it deserves real support.
The Invisible Labor of Nursing
Much of a nurse’s work happens behind the scenes—charting, prepping, checking vitals, coordinating with doctors—but a significant part of their labor is emotional. Nurses are often the first to recognize when something’s wrong, and the first to respond when a patient is overwhelmed, scared, or in pain.
This emotional toll is especially heavy in fields like women’s health and oncology, where nurses frequently care for patients dealing with reproductive health issues, fertility concerns, cancer diagnoses, and postpartum complications. They are the ones explaining complex procedures, offering reassurance during recovery, and helping women feel seen, heard, and supported when they need it most.
Where Nursing Began: A Legacy of Care
Nursing has existed in many forms throughout human history, but modern nursing as we know it began to take shape in the mid-1800s thanks to Florence Nightingale—a British nurse who revolutionized patient care during the Crimean War. She implemented sanitation protocols that dramatically lowered death rates and laid the foundation for evidence-based care.
Her legacy lives on. In fact, National Nurses Week ends on her birthday, May 12, in recognition of her pivotal role in shaping the profession.
Other notable nurses in history include:
Mary Eliza Mahoney – the first African American professionally trained nurse in the U.S., and a champion for diversity in nursing
Clara Barton – founder of the American Red Cross and battlefield nurse during the Civil War
Lillian Wald – a public health pioneer who brought nursing care into underserved communities in New York City
These women, and many more since, built a profession rooted in compassion, advocacy, and human connection. Learn more about the iconic women of health care in our post, Celebrating Women Who Transformed Healthcare.
Nurses Today: The Frontlines of Women’s Health
While technology and medicine have advanced, the heart of nursing remains unchanged: deep, personal care.
This is especially true in OB-GYN, oncology, fertility, and postpartum care, where nurses help women navigate:
Hormonal changes
Chronic infections and pelvic discomfort
Vaginal and vulvar irritation
Post-birth healing and trauma recovery
They’re often the first to listen—and the first to recommend something that helps.
Why Nurses Recommend VPod
Whether supporting a new mom through healing, a patient with chronic irritation, or someone recovering from treatment, nurses want safe, effective solutions they can trust.
That’s why many recommend VPod, a cooling, mess-free vulva relief system designed to:
✅ Reduce swelling and soothe irritation
✅ Support postpartum recovery and perineal care
✅ Help manage symptoms of infections and hormonal sensitivity
✅ Offer comfort during treatment-related discomfort
And because VPod is OB-GYN approved, hypoallergenic, and FDA-registered, nurses can feel confident recommending it to patients looking for a clean, gentle solution.
A Thank You That Lasts Beyond the Week
If you’ve ever felt truly seen or comforted by a nurse, you already know—they change lives.
So this week, consider gifting VPod to the nurse who changed yours. Or stock your clinic’s wellness toolkit with a product that offers patients comfort where it matters most.
Because behind every strong recovery is someone who made you feel human again. Chances are, that someone was a nurse.