Nurses and midwives have demanded recognition, respect and reform on day one of the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association’s (NSWNMA) 79^th Annual Conference in Sydney, as they urge decision makers to value their worth.

More than 700 nurses and midwives have descended on the International Convention Centre in Darling Harbour, calling for an end to the inherent undervaluing their professions have experienced by successive governments for decades.

In welcoming attendees, NSWNMA General Secretary, Shaye Candish, said the conference theme this year was ‘Value Nurses and Midwives’ which aimed to highlight the deeply entrenched gender inequity in the state’s largest female workforce.

“Despite being the backbone of the healthcare system, nurses and midwives in all sectors and health settings face the same deep-seated undervaluing across their workforce,” said Ms Candish.

“Our contribution to the care economy is far-reaching – we have a presence across all settings in our health and aged care systems, strengthening our economy and keeping our communities well.

“We know this sentiment is reflected strongly by our patients, clients and consumers. They value us, we need decision makers to value us too.”

Professor of Gender, Work and Employment Relations at the University of Sydney Business School, Rae Cooper AO, addressed the long-held gender inequities and the need to value care work.

“We have a highly gendered labour market filled with inequalities. Fixing this isn’t just a women’s issue, it’s a union issue and it’s a government issue. We need highly engaged jobs that women want to stay in,” said Ms Cooper.

While Professor of Midwifery at Western Sydney University, Hannah Dahlen AM, championed the value of midwives and midwifery-led continuity of care, and highlighted the shortage of midwives globally.

“The world needs 900,000 more midwives. We need to see midwives valued and supported and we need to invest in women and invest in those who care for them,” said Ms Dahlen.

Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives (CATSINaM) CEO, Dr Ali Drummond, spoke of the importance of advocating for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nursing and midwifery workforce and educating people about cultural safety.

“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities have been living on hope for too long, our people need non-indigenous people to be courageous and hungry for change and committed to following us,” said Mr Drummond.

Housing advocates delved into the challenges and struggles nurses and midwives face in securing affordable housing close to work. Grassroots housing group Sydney YIMBY articulated how the city needs to rethink its approach to town planning and developments, which was warmly welcomed by nurses and midwives at the conference.

Nursing and midwifery migration and the role of unions was also explored by representatives from California and Fiji.

Fijian Nursing Association General Secretary Filomena Talawadua shone a light on the extreme challenges to retain Fijian nurses with many migrating to Australia, leaving the country with a shortfall of almost 1000 nurses.

“Nurses are the heartbeat of every nation. The exodus has completely depleted the systems in so many ways. What we continue to ask our government is, how long will you wait to declare a national crisis in our nation?” said Ms Talawadua.

“There’s something about us as nurses, we’re different. We continue to endure, we continue to persevere, we continue to give love until it hurts.”