The public is being asked to join the “shine a light” campaign today (Tuesday 12 May) at 8.30pm to mark International Nurses Day and the 200th anniversary of the birth of nursing pioneer Florence Nightingale.
International Nurses Day is an annual celebration of the crucial work nurses do around the world. The 2020 celebration is especially important to recognise the efforts of nursing professionals around the world as they continue to lead the frontline charge against the coronavirus pandemic.
The request is in recognition of the World Health Organisation (WHO) having designated 2020 as International Year of the Nurse to mark the bicentenary of Florence Nightingale’s birth.
An image of the founder of modern nursing, as well as a message of thanks, will be projected on to her place of work, London’s St Thomas’s Hospital, from parliament.
Chief nursing officer for England Ruth May has joined other leaders in urging people to “shine a light” from their window at 8.30pm today to mark the important day.
The North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust employ more than 1,850 nurses across a huge range of disciplines within acute and community settings. The Trust provides hospital and community health services to a population of around half a million people, and is responsible for delivering more than 70 services across 15 main locations through its 6,500 plus members of staff.
Anna Stabler, Interim Chief Nurse at the Trust said: “Every day, nursing staff around the world go the extra mile for their patients and this day is all about recognising our nurses and giving them a huge thank you for all they do.
“I’d like to thank all of our nurses for all their hard work, they really are fantastic and have continued to shine through despite the covid-19 situation.
“This year actually marks 200 years since Florence Nightingale was born and we had planned to have huge celebrations to mark the occasion! Instead we’re supporting International Nurses’ Day in a more virtual way than usual due to the ongoing pandemic.
“We are celebrating our fabulous nurses across the Trust by sharing their stories which highlights the remarkable difference our nurses make every day. We are also asking patients and the public to use Nurses’ Day as an opportunity to say thank you to nursing staff to show how they really are appreciated.
“Although our celebrations are now on a smaller scale, it is still important give our nurses the recognition they deserve with so many being incredibly selfless within their profession.
She added: “We will celebrate as best as we can across our hospitals and communities and when we are able we’ll try and arrange a special celebration for all of us together.”
The Trust will be sharing nursing stories on its website and social media channels throughout today (Tuesday).
