International Nurses Day: what makes us proud of our profession
Posted 10 May 2024 - 13:59
Nurses mark International Nurses Day by sharing what inspired their career choice and what drives their commitment to the profession, despite its many challenges
Nurses have been sharing their messages of pride and passion for the profession to mark International Nurses Day.
The global event is held every year on 12 May to celebrate the work of millions of nurses on the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth.
Nurses have shared their personal motivations for joining and remaining committed to the profession, even in the face of the current intense pressures on health and care services.
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‘My nursing colleagues step up every time, often with humour’
Many nurses said they are humbled to care for people at the worse moments of their lives, work to tackle health inequalities, and provide non-judgemental care.
Others said they were inspired by the nursing care they received themselves as children or young adults.
Queen’s Nurse Emma Legge said: ‘It's incredibly humbling that people are willing to put their trust in us; we have to get it right. Proud of my colleagues who step up to the mark and beyond, every time, often with humour, always with humility. A wonderful profession.’
King named as patron of the Royal College of Nursing
The King is to be the new patron of the RCN, Buckingham Palace announced to mark the first anniversary of his coronation.
Charles III assumes the role his mother the late Queen Elizabeth held from her own coronation in 1953 until her death in 2022.
When King Charles was Prince of Wales he supported the nursing cadet scheme delivered by the college, which continues to be implemented around the UK.
RCN chief executive Pat Cullen said: ‘This is such fantastic news for our members and for the college. We look forward to working with His Majesty and with his support and backing, will continue to elevate the voice of nursing.’
To be a source of comfort and compassion is an honour
Macmillan nurse Sonya Turner wrote: ‘Being a nurse means being a source of comfort, care, and compassion. It's an honour to be there for others during their most vulnerable moments.’
Chief nursing officer Dame Ruth May told Nursing Standard that the compassion nurses show in their work has a lasting effect on people’s lives.
‘As nurses, we often don’t take the time to stop and assess the impact that we have on people,’ she said.
‘This week, I spent time with Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity and met Holly, a Roald Dahl Nurse. Using expertise, experience and compassion to provide person and family-centred care, the positive impact Holly has on families was palpable. Nurses like Holly are why I am immensely proud to call myself a nurse.
‘Despite the challenges facing health and social care in recent years, colleagues have continued to deliver the very best care to patients and their families.’
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