Nurses Honor Guard of South Carolina

The Nurses Honor Guard of South Carolina was founded in June 2019 by Stormy Shealy, a Registered Nurse in the Upstate of South Carolina. We began with just 6 nurses and have now grown to almost 250 volunteer nurses encompassing 8 chapters that serve the state of South Carolina.
We are nurses who volunteer our time to pay tribute to nurses at the time of their death by performing the Nightingale Tribute at the funeral or memorial service. This service is steeped in tradition and is similar to a military tribute and officially releases the nurse from their nursing duties. Our tribute lasts about 5 minutes.
The Nurses Honor Guard of South Carolina will:
-Attend all services wearing the traditional white uniform, cap and cape
-Stand guard at the casket and provide a presence at the services (per family request)
-Recite the Nightingale Tribute at the funeral or memorial service
-Present the Florence Nightingale lamp to the family
-Perform Last Call to Duty
This ceremonial tribute is offered free of charge for any South Carolina resident who was a Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anesthetist, Licensed Practical Nurse or anyone active or retired, who holds a nursing license in good standing with the Board of Nursing from their home state or the state of South Carolina. Their license can be non-active if they were retired, as long as it was in good standing with the Board of Nursing.
In addition to the above services, if a nurse is at the end of their life and is alert, we can offer them a Living Tribute, while they are alive, and be able to honor them before their passing,. This tribute is very special because it gives us the opportunity to honor that nurse while she is still living.
We are a 501 (C) (3) non-profit organization. We are staffed strictly by both working and retired nurses who volunteer their time to pay respect and honor our nurse-colleagues. Any donations are tax-deductible, and a written receipt will be sent. Donations are used to purchase, the lanterns, the boxes, white roses, bells and other items needed to perform our service. Each nurse purchases her dress, cap and cape at their own expense and volunteers their personal time to perform our tribute service. If we have money left after the above supplies, we will offer a scholarship or other financial assistance to a student nurse(s) through the Nurses Honor Guard of South Carolina Scholarship Program.

Our mission
The Nurses Honor Guard of South Carolina recognizes those individuals who have dedicated their lives to the profession of Nursing. The purpose of this organization is to provide comfort to the family and let them, as well as the community, know the value of each nurse we are honoring.
The Nurses Honor Guard of South Carolina considers it a privilege to participate in the memorial services of fellow nurses and celebrate their years of service.

Our vision
Active and retired nurses volunteer their time to honor the professional community of nurses.

Our core values
Nurture
Uplift
Respect
Service
Empathy
Nurses have the gift of nurturing and uplifting others in demonstrating respect for all humans during their rendering of selfless service and empathy for those in need.

Our Services
We offer our services throughout the state of South Carolina at no cost to the families.

Our Committment
We will recognize our nurse colleague by performing our Nightingale tribute with honor and respect.

Contact
NursesHonorGuardSC@gmail.com
To request our services email us at NursesHonorGuardSC@gmail.com
If you are a nurse (RN, LPN, NP, CRNA) interested in learning more about becoming a member, just email us at the above address and ask us to send you and “Information Letter”. You will need to read and respond to the Information Letter as per instructions in the letter.
All donations are tax deductible. If you would like a receipt, please include your mailing address when donating. Proceeds will be used for supplies for services such as the lanterns, the wooden boxes that hold the lanterns, candles, white roses, bells, rack cards and business cards. Annual scholarships or other means of help are offered to a Nursing Student in South Carolina when funds allow. Nurses participating in the service will incur all costs associated with uniforms, cape and cap.