Today is International Nurses Day – Celebrate, with pride, our wonderful profession
International Nurses Day is celebrated around the world on the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth on 12 May 1820.
Florence has been immortalised in many publications, including over 200 of her own works. One Florence Nightingale quote which rings bells for me is, ‘Unless we are making progress in our nursing every year, every month, every week, take my word for it, we are going back’.
The International Council of Nurses (ICN) commemorates this important day each year with the International Nurses Day (IND) Kit – Nurses: A Force for Change – A vital resource for health
This significant international resource gives us impetus to make certain we strive to continue Florence’s work of ensuring we are not going back, and nursing continues to progress for the betterment of world health.
Of interest within this vital resource are two areas we see demonstrated:
- An educated nurse workforce + a good work environment = high quality care
This simple, evidence-based equation, whether applied at a global or a local level in the health system, is fundamental to understanding how to make the best of the vital resource which is nursing.
- It is essential that nurses and world leaders focus on the global nursing workforce as a key priority for achieving better health for all
Along with many other explorations within this resource, these two areas have synergy with APNA’s strategic plan, and in particular our vision of a healthy Australia through best practice primary health care nursing.
APNA continues to work collaboratively with its partners, other nursing specialties and government, to ensure a sustainable and strong nursing workforce.
My message today on Florence Nightingale’s birthday is to remember: one of the best assets for your community’s health is its primary health care nursing workforce, with its varied and extensive skills, knowledge, expertise and experience. In these times of workforce shortages and fiscal challenges, remember to care for yourself and care for your colleagues, and you will ensure your community’s health remains in safe hands.
On behalf of APNA, I acknowledge Florence Nightingale on her birthday and give thanks for her strength, foresight and leadership upon which our wonderful profession is founded.
Your thoughts are very welcome at president@apna.asn.au.