International nurses day a time to celebrate

The anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth on 12 May marks International Nurses Day, a time of celebration for nurses around the world. Royal College of Nursing, Australia (RCNA) is part of a global community of nurses who will be commemorating this important day, and invites all Australians to take part.

“Nurses form the backbone of the health care system and play a critical role in the lives of patients and their families,” says RCNA’s Executive Director, Rosemary Bryant FRCNA. “International Nurses Day gives nurses around the world the chance to celebrate their profession, and also gives the general public an opportunity to pay tribute to the importantwork that they do.”

The International Council of Nurses assigns a theme to each year’s celebration. In 2008 the theme is Delivering quality, serving communities: nurses leading primary health care. Across Australia, hospitals, health and aged care facilities, universities and other education providers will celebrate the theme with a variety of functions ranging from small, in-house morning teas to public ceremonies.

RCNA is assisting with a variety of celebrations in Canberra, including the 2008 Nursing and Midwifery Awards, and a Remembrance and Thanksgiving Ceremony at the Australian War Memorial. RCNA Chapters and individual members are also hosting festivities around the country.

“We’d like to take this opportunity to invite everyone to celebrate this important day with us,” Ms Bryant says. “Try to imagine where we would be without nurses. They really do play a critical role in many, many people’s lives.”

(Source: Royal College of Nursing, Australia: May 2008)