International Nurses Day

Plan ahead for events around 12 May 2012

International Nurses Day is an opportunity to celebrate nursing and the contribution we make, improving the lives of individuals and their families, the health and wellbeing of whole communities and the wider population.

This year, the Florence Nightingale Foundation, the Department of Health and NHS Careers are working with the Inspiring the Future initiative from independent charity, the Education and Employers Taskforce, to make this year’s Nurses Day the best yet. 12 May falls on a Saturday this year so celebrations during both the week before and after will mark the anniversary.

Over the next few months, through our respective websites and in collaboration with all of the CNOs, we will be posting ideas and resources with different ways that you can get involved to:

• enhance the image of nursing and nurses locally and nationally
• represent the diversity of nursing roles and their contribution to health and wellbeing
• promote nursing as an attractive, rewarding and modern career.

In the meantime, why not think about what you could do locally and share your ideas with colleagues and patients. You could link up with other initiatives, for example:

• promoting health and wellbeing in the local population;
• by doing displays in the local community;
• talk to local schools and colleges;
• visit your MP’s surgery to promote what nurses do;
• demonstrate to users and the public what nurses contribute to improve patient and carer involvement.

You could also take the opportunity to set out some goals for your own achievement as part of your continuing professional development for the year ahead.

Links and info

Read up on International Nurses Day

Learn more about Inspiring the Future

Nursing Standard Quiet Power DVD - This DVD features Nurses talking about their commitment and motivation to Nursing and patient care. It shows how nurses coordinate services and bring all elements of care together. Through interview and example, they demonstrate how nurses can have influence on attitudes, practice and policy to ensure the best outcomes for patients and exemplify the positive image of Nursing as a profession.

In collaboration with NHS Careers and the CNO's office, we have put together a toolkit which may be helpful in planning events for international nurses day. Please click here for details

You can follow International Nurses Day on facebook and twitter:
www.facebook.com/intnursesdayuk
www.twitter.com/Intnursesdayuk