Celebrating Nurses and Their Dedication To Our Health

Every single day, nurses around the world work tirelessly to keep people safe, happy, and healthy. Late nights, early mornings, and unpredictable patients are just some of the burdens they face. It’s hard work, yet nurses endure. With all of this in mind, it becomes clear that their commitment and contribution to society should never be overlooked.

To recognise this dedication, International Nurses Day (IND) was held last Sunday, the 12^th of May. This date’s significance originates from the birthdate of Florence Nightingale, a nurse who is best known for her work in the Crimean War and for founding the framework for modern nursing. The theme for 2019’s IND was “Health for all”, focusing on bringing “health into the reach of everyone in a given country”.

The International Council of Nurses (ICN) celebrates nurses on this important day each year; not only with lectures and events, but with the production and distribution of the “IND resources and evidence”. The resources are published with the intent to inform and educate people about the work and sacrifices that nurses make for us. This year’s resource contains everything one would need to campaign for access to a healthy life and universal health coverage, complete with guidelines and relevant evidence. The graphic below, sourced from this year’s document published by the ICN, outlines a framework developed by Halfdan Mahler which aims to bring health to all.

Within this framework, health is assumed to be a human right where social and economic factors are a predeterminate for Health for All – a practical and realistic approach. It focuses on the protection and promotion of health which in turn has positive effects on economic and social development.

On May 12^th, the ICN also releases nursing case studies from all over the world. These stories that have been submitted throughout the year are nurse lead initiatives that “showcase the abilities, skills and knowledge of the nursing profession”. One such case study was submitted from Australia about providing advanced practice nursing care to rural and remote indigenous populations.

With all of this information made available every year, people can begin to see how much nurses really do for society. The effort they put into their work, fatigue they endure, and dedication they display goes far beyond the call of duty. Nurses have even been nominated as the most trustworthy profession in the US. So, it is more than important that we take a day to recognise, celebrate and say thank you to nurses all over the world!