12 May 2018 2:00am
Saturday 12th May 2018 is International Nurses Day
International Nurses Day shines a spotlight on issues facing nurses both locally and nationally, as well as issues that are common to nurses across the globe.
One of the most important themes running through the drive for excellent nursing is the need for nurses, all nurses, to be leaders – whether on the ward, within the NHS structure, or in the wider community we serve.
Nurse leaders are called on to wear many hats in their commitment to excellence: critical thinker, role model, mentor and patient advocate. This means embracing professional issues taking place on the ward or practice environment as well as being an advocate for change.
Driving healthcare policy and practices is just as important as the day to day running of the ward for improving quality care outcomes for our patients. Leaders as champions of change are the guardians of safety in the workplace in all its forms, and key is demanding adequate safe staffing levels and resources.
We must never tolerate a situation where staffing levels are dangerously low, where patients are discharged without adequate care and where student nurses are forced to use food banks and into debts of £50,000 just to complete their training.
Respected Leaders are transformative, using their wealth of knowledge and skills to empower and influence others to make better decisions. The Union can help can make YOUR voice even stronger.
Enjoy International Nurses Day, stay positive, challenge bad practice where you find it, try to find time debrief with colleagues after significant incidents/issues on the ward, embrace change, plan accordingly, but most importantly speak up and never stop learning.
Celebrate being part of the nursing profession on 12th May 2018