The 12th of May marks the birth of Florence Nightingale, who was the founder of modern nursing. Florence Nightingale significantly improved the acceptance of female participation in the workforce and laid the foundation for professional nursing, which is why we celebrate Nurses Day on the anniversary of her birthday.  

Geri, our Clinical Nurse Manager, would like to share a message to acknowledge and commemorate the hard work of all of our company nurse’s.

"I want to start by thanking the nurses I work with across the organisation for the amazing job they do each day. Your actions have made, and continue to make a difference in the lives of hundreds of people across New Zealand. Your individual clinical knowledge and nursing experience has positively impacted the care we provide. Nga mihi nui. 

It took me a while to decide to pursue nursing as a career but now, I can't imagine doing anything else. To me, nursing is more than a job, it is a way of life. It is always critically thinking, always taking in the small details, always listening and always caring. Nursing is as much a part of me as my right hand.

Community nursing is an often-misunderstood specialty nursing service. As community nurses we care for young and old, rich and poor, sick and well. We have the unique privilege of being welcomed into people's homes and are given access to the most private moments of people's lives. We have an incredible opportunity to provide holistic nursing care that impacts positively not only on our clients but on their wider whanau as well.

As DHBs disappear or merge, and a new health system emerges, I believe our position as community nurses affords us an opportunity to support and lead client centric health system changes from a flax roots level.

The theme of International Nurses Day 2022 is: "A voice to lead: invest in nursing and respect rights to secure global health". 

I encourage my colleagues to find their voices and speak up for what is needed in our communities and to constantly seek more sustainable ways to serve our clients, putting them at the forefront of all we do. We must not let fear or uncertainty stop us.

Florence Nightingale said "never lose an opportunity of urging a practical beginning however small for it is wonderful how often in such matters the mustard seed germinates and roots itself".

Kia kaha, Kia maia, Kia manawanui.
Be strong, be brave, be steadfast." - Geri