International Nurses Day (IND) is observed around the world on 12 May to mark the contributions that nurses make to society.
The International Council of Nurses (ICN) has celebrated this day since 1965. In 1953 Dorothy Sutherland, an official with the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, proposed that President Dwight D. Eisenhower proclaim a "Nurses' Day"; but he did not approve it.
In January 1974, 12 May was chosen to celebrate the day as it is the anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing.
This year’s theme is Nurses: A Voice to Lead - Invest in Nursing and respect rights to secure global health.
The workloads of New Zealand hospitals, general practices and rest home facilities will continue to increase as our ageing population grows.
The good news is that people across the health system have been looking at how they can continue to provide a high standard of care as demand rises. Nurses in particular are taking a leadership role, and a strong nursing workforce is recognised as the key to high-quality health care for older people in the future.
For this to continue, the country needs to continue to invest in not only training the future nurses of Aotearoa, but to also invest in the health and wellbeing of those already on the frontline.
Show the nurses at your village how much they mean to all New Zealanders this International Nurses Day, Thursday, May 12.
Let us know how you celebrated IND! Send details to tania@reviewmags.com or tag @agedplus on your social celebrations.
