International Nurses Day is celebrated on 12 May worldwide. But this year, the pandemic makes it even more special.
For all the frontline nurses every day is like a “constant marathon”.
The pandemic has made it painfully obvious that the entire world has come together to fight a war against a virus, and that doctors and nurses are at the forefront of it.
Therefore, on the occasion of International Nurses Day, it becomes all the more important to show gratitude towards them.
Background
International Nurses Day has been celebrated by the International Council of Nurses (ICN) since 1965.
In January 1974, May 12 was chosen as the day to celebrate the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale.
Significance
Currently, this day has a greater significance because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nurses are working diligently to treat patients. Hence, they have become the backbone of hospitals and healthcare systems around the world.
The day was created so we can honour and pay tribute to all the nurses around the world who have and are doing an incredible job in keeping people healthy.
Nurses play a very crucial role and are responsible for carrying out various tasks in the workplace. Without their help, the entire health system would have collapsed.
These people risk their lives every day by attending to COVID patients regularly.
They write the patient’s care plan, assist doctors with evaluations and tests, set up blood transfusions and drips.
They also maintain patient records, train juniors, and organize staff to maintain a friendly and efficient work environment in hospitals and clinics.
Since the pandemic is at its peak, every patient needs immediate attention or just a few encouraging words.
And like superheroes nurses are there for them round-the-clock.
Theme
Just like every other year, this year too a theme is attributed to International Nurses Day.
This year’s theme is ‘Nurses: A Voice to Lead — A vision for future healthcare‘.
Here, the council seeks to show “how nursing will look into the future as well as how the profession will transform the next stage of healthcare”.
