May 12, 2022Today is the International Day of the Nurse, celebrated annually on 12 May – the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birthday.
This year’s theme – ‘Nurses: A Voice to Lead – Invest in Nursing and Respect Rights to Secure Global Health,’ focuses on the need to protect, support and invest in the nursing profession to strengthen health systems around the world. International Day of the Nurse celebrates and acknowledges the compassion, professionalism and round-the-clock commitment of nurses caring for patients. Florence Nightingale was the founder of modern medicine.
Belinda Nash, Acting Site Director, Nursing and Operations – Broadmeadows Hospital and Craigieburn Centre, said she had genuine gratitude for nurses turning up to work very day and doing their best to achieve patient outcomes.
“Our profession is more a vocation and more so during COVID-19, as this has shown that we are dedicated and amazing people,” she said.
“Seeing our patient’s improve, being discharged home and being thankful to staff for their care, is my favourite thing about nursing. A young woman came to our unit after having a neurological event – it was a real sense of achievement when she walked out of the unit with her husband and small child. It was a real goosebump moment.”
To anyone considering a nursing career, Belinda said being prepared to be flexible and resilient was the key to a successful nursing career.
“You never know what each day will bring. Be kind and incorporate that in your day – that helps you when challenges arise,” she said.
Kirralee Jensen, Site Director Operations and Director of Nursing at Bundoora Centre, said nurses and the nursing profession were so important because they are always there for their patients.
“They are the ones holding the hands of patients when their relatives cannot. A simple task or gesture made by a nurse towards a patient or their family can have a profound impact,” she said.
“They make a difference and we would be lost without them. Nurses are the most trusted profession and I am very proud to call myself a nurse. I would like to say a big thank you to each and every nurse for their dedication, commitment and compassion, and for providing outstanding care to their patients on a daily basis. You are appreciated!”
Lora Davies, Director of Nursing, Northern Hospital Epping, said nursing provided her with a real sense of purpose.
“Nurses play a critical role in how patients and families experience the health care system when they are at their most vulnerable and it’s important to always remember this,” she said.
“It is not always easy, but the smile or thank you that you get from a patient or family makes it all worthwhile. Thank you to all the nurses for continuing to come to work and care for the community, in what we acknowledge are extremely challenging times.”
Lisa Cox, Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, thanked our dedicated nurses for everything they do for our community, not just today, but every day.
“Nurses are invaluable to the health care system and community. They provide and play so many roles on the health and life continuum of people within our catchment, from antenatal through to death,” she said.
“A nursing career can offer so much variety. It also offers so many opportunities and pathways – clinical, research, education, nurse specialists, advances practice or practitioner pathways. There is always a role or opportunity for a nurse that extends well outside a health service.”
We asked some of our wonderful nurses to tell us what being a nurse means to them. Here’s what they had to say:
