05.12.08
Celebrating Nurses Day
In the UK we don’t tend to have a whole week celebrating nurses and nursing, but rather just the day. That day is today the birthday of Florence Nightingale, and let us just say this is pretty low key. Professions go through different patches in terms of popularity and whether those who are part of it are worthy. My assessment would be that nursing is going through a rocky time right now as it attempts to find its place. Traditionally nursing has been seen to be about caring, about providing a particular type of care for patients but increasingly it has been about developing new skills, perhaps specialising in particular areas and that has led people to question whether nurses have forgotten their roots.
The Royal college of Nursing has a set of pages devoted to Nurses Day this year, within which nurses tell the story of the work they do. Entitled ordinary people, extraordinary care nurses from different backgrounds with different roles tell us about their daily life. Take a look they are worth a read and cover areas of practice many wouldn’t even think of as being roles within nursing.
Sadly it would be my guess that few people in the UK know that it is Nurses Day today, for goodness sake many people don’t even celebrate national days like St Georges day but if you come across a nurse today, perhaps rather than criticising them for perceived wrongs with them and their profession, congratulate them, after all nursing isn’t something that just anyone can do, but then of course I would say that, because I am one!
Asclepius said,
May 13, 2008 at 3:03 pm
I’m a first year student nurse. My first placement it drove home the facts that Nurses are overworked, underpaid and under appreciated. When things go well the nurses receive little praise how ever receive a lot of blame when things dont go well.
A friend who has been an A&E nurse for many many years once told me that there is no one in the profession who is of sound mind because if they were they’d find a new job. Fortunately a lot of those who are willing to ignore all the downsides do seem to find the career incredibly rewarding.
I’m only one year into my training, fortunately I am loving it. However I am a little annoyed that I was in my universities school of nursing and midwifery all day yesterday and didnt see one shred of evidence about it being ‘Nurses Day’.
Julie said,
May 13, 2008 at 5:27 pm
Thanks for your comment. I have to say that only once in my 28 years as a nurse have I seen any evidence of Nurses Day being celebrated and that is really sad. Good luck with the rest of your course and placements.
B.Catly said,
May 14, 2008 at 12:16 pm
I have been in the Uk for six years and there are so many changes that happened in NHS. A lot of my colleagues left the unit every year for different reasons. To name a few; understaffing, lack of support from the management, low income, time schedule conflicts, stressful jobs and boring job.
I said to myself why I am still here in same place where started for six odd years. I will say that at I find it rewarding to be a nurse wherever wards or units I am working because the principle of caring,compassion and unlifting the standard of nursing care are always in my mind and soul. I enjoyed listening to the needs of my patients even spending 5 minutes to each of my patient and look into their eyes while they are talking, I can feel and sense their needs emotionally, physically and spiritually. This is my calling and I am doing everything to be one of the BEST NURSES for the patient.
I will say being a NURSE made me my whole life complete by being a true ADVOCATE for the patients. This proffession involves a lot of compassion and love to improve the quality of care that we offer to all our clients.
tracya said,
May 16, 2008 at 8:50 pm
it’s a shame because in the US nurses day is actually celebrated…but then we seem to make a big deal out of everything. there are even cards!!!
during nurses week, the hospitals generally treat the nurses to free meals, head massages, stress reduction talks, cake and ice cream, coffee mugs, etc.
it sounds pretty trivial and petty, but i do think it’s the thought that counts and getting the word out to patients, families and the general public that nurses are worth celebrating!
i was surprised because i mentioned it at work (NHS) and not one person knew it was international nurses day….and not a peep from administration!