As a nurse, I regularly meet and interact with nursing staff in different working environments.
I get to hear their successes and challenges first hand.
I could not be prouder of the profession that I love, and one that impacts the lives of everyone at various stages of life.
As we look forward to International Nurses’ Day, I wanted to share a story about a friend who recently experienced nursing care.
A couple of weeks ago, I accompanied my friend to hospital where she received treatment, and they undertook several tests.
She then returned for a review a few days later and was happy for me to join her in the consultation room where a specialist nurse was in attendance.
My friend was anxious and the nurse reassured her the whole time and explained the results in simple language - I’m pleased to say the test results were all normal.
Relieved by the good report and her experience, my friend thanked the “doctor” and off we left - I had to remind her on our way out that that was a specialist nurse and not a doctor.
The nurse was professional, kind, knowledgeable and most importantly caring, and doing best what she knew.
This is one example of many, where nurses are making a significant difference in people’s lives.
The International Council of Nurses’ theme for Nurses’ Day this year is “The economic power of care”, to highlight the need for nursing to be seen as an investment, instead of a cost, and to reshape perceptions of nursing’s economic and societal benefits.
This comes at a challenging time with the soaring cost of living among other issues affecting the profession and leaving nursing staff feeling devalued.
The RCN continues to campaign for better pay for our members and we have recently hosted events to ensure that political decision-makers hear directly from members, especially in this year of general election.
I echo the words of our Chief Executive Officer & General Secretary, Pat Cullen: “Nursing is not a calling, or a vocation, or ‘women’s work’. We are a profession; we are experts; we are leaders.”
So, thank you to all of you nursing staff who are impacting and changing people’s lives at every level.
You are hugely valued and deserve recognition.
If you are planning to do something special on International Nurses’ Day, please let us tag us in your social media posts @RCNSouthWest or email vita.fitzsimons@rcn.org.uk.
I get to hear their successes and challenges first hand.
I could not be prouder of the profession that I love, and one that impacts the lives of everyone at various stages of life.
As we look forward to International Nurses’ Day, I wanted to share a story about a friend who recently experienced nursing care.
A couple of weeks ago, I accompanied my friend to hospital where she received treatment, and they undertook several tests.
She then returned for a review a few days later and was happy for me to join her in the consultation room where a specialist nurse was in attendance.
My friend was anxious and the nurse reassured her the whole time and explained the results in simple language - I’m pleased to say the test results were all normal.
Relieved by the good report and her experience, my friend thanked the “doctor” and off we left - I had to remind her on our way out that that was a specialist nurse and not a doctor.
The nurse was professional, kind, knowledgeable and most importantly caring, and doing best what she knew.
This is one example of many, where nurses are making a significant difference in people’s lives.
The International Council of Nurses’ theme for Nurses’ Day this year is “The economic power of care”, to highlight the need for nursing to be seen as an investment, instead of a cost, and to reshape perceptions of nursing’s economic and societal benefits.
This comes at a challenging time with the soaring cost of living among other issues affecting the profession and leaving nursing staff feeling devalued.
The RCN continues to campaign for better pay for our members and we have recently hosted events to ensure that political decision-makers hear directly from members, especially in this year of general election.
I echo the words of our Chief Executive Officer & General Secretary, Pat Cullen: “Nursing is not a calling, or a vocation, or ‘women’s work’. We are a profession; we are experts; we are leaders.”
So, thank you to all of you nursing staff who are impacting and changing people’s lives at every level.
You are hugely valued and deserve recognition.
If you are planning to do something special on International Nurses’ Day, please let us tag us in your social media posts @RCNSouthWest or email vita.fitzsimons@rcn.org.uk.
