On this day each year, nursing staff around the world are recognised for the important contribution they make to the health and wellbeing of our communities.

Members of the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) are taking part in a range of celebrations across the state today including breakfast barbeques, morning and afternoon tea parties, award ceremonies, staff lunches and even lighthearted bed making competitions.

General Secretary of the NSWNMA, Brett Holmes, said the hard work, dedication and professionalism of nurses in their pursuit of safe patient care delivery would never tire.

“Nurses, of all classifications, are incredible human beings and are often humble recipients of any recognition for the enormous difference they make in people’s lives,” Mr Holmes said.

“They go to work every day with a focus of always putting others first and ensuring high quality care is extended to those who need it throughout all of the health and hospital settings servicing the community.

“Despite being faced with very demanding workloads, unsociable hours, shift work, skill mix issues, violence in the workplace, attacks on penalty rates and caps on wages growth, nurses continue to front up for work because they know their contribution will support others.”

International Nurses Day, 12 May, marks the birthday anniversary of formidable nurse, Florence Nightingale, who was instrumental in implementing the role of the modern nurse.

Mr Holmes said today all nurses were to be commended for actively pursuing this modern nursing role and advocating on behalf of people in their communities and, importantly, people in their care.

“This year the NSWNMA is paying special attention to nurses delivering safety at work, whether that’s in the form of seeking improved nurse-to-patient ratios, improving skill mix, tackling workloads or putting a stop to violence in the workplace,” said Mr Holmes.

“The work our nurses do is fearless. Their ongoing professional contribution towards achieving better health outcomes for everyone is admirable and they deserve to be congratulated this International Nurses Day.”

Download this media release: Celebrating the incredible work of nurses