International Nurses Day on May 12
honors nurses around the world. Sponsored by the International Council of
Nurses, it celebrates the tireless efforts of nurses in maintaining public
health. Nurses are integral to the healthcare system.
May 12, 2020 marks the 200th birth
anniversary of Florence Nightingale, thought to be the founder of modern
nursing. Nightingale was a British nurse during the Crimean War in the 1850s.
She is popularly known as The Lady with the Lamp because she was often seen
tending to wounded soldiers at night with a lamp in her hands.
Taking Care of the Sick and Vulnerable
Nurses are a vital part of any
healthcare system, public or private. They are responsible for the well-being
of their patients from the time they step into the medical establishment to the
moment they step out. They support and partner with doctors and medical
providers to administer medical care. They monitor patients’ health and vital
signs, advocate for them, and spend time making them feel safe in a medical
environment. Because of this, nurses have become one of the most trusted
professionals around the world.
Nursing was not an organized
profession, often undertaken by members of religious orders, and viewed as a
menial occupation. Nightingale helped elevate its position by creating the
first official nurses’ training program in 1860 and integrating modern ideas of
medicine and care into the day-to-day workings of nurses.
Today, nursing as an occupation
accounts for 59% of the healthcare sector around the world according to a study
done by WHO.
It is estimated that the patients
who require intensive care tend to spend about 86% to 88% of their time with a
nurse, indicating the importance of nursing staff in the healthcare system.
A Diverse Field
Nursing is not a monolithic
occupation. It is a diverse field with multiple specializations spanning the
lifetime of a human being—from taking care of the unborn to giving end-of-life
care.
Each country has different rules
about the educational and experience requirements of the various nursing
specializations. But whatever their specialty, the primary goal of nurses is to
deliver the most optimal medical and health care to those under their charge
with the utmost compassion.
Demanding Career
Nursing is one of the most
physically and emotionally demanding careers out there. Nurses work in
high-stress environments dealing with life-and-death cases every day. They also
tend to work extended hours, usually spending most of their time on their feet.
A study says a nurse can walk about 8 km (5 miles) during an average shift!
Because nurses are the first line of care for many patients, they can often be subjected to violence from patients or their families. Nurses also routinely put their lives on the line, taking care of people who may be sick due to infectious diseases or in war and conflict zones. All of this can lead to stress and fatigue.