9 May 2008
The amazing work nurses undertake everyday will be showcased in a series of events around the nation in celebration of this year's Nurses' Day.
Nurses from Epsom and St Helier Hospitals are holding two days of celebrations that include a visit by President of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Maura Buchanan, for a keynote address. The Trust awards for Nurse and Health Care Assistant of the Year will be presented and later in the day there will be workshops on coping strategies for workplace stress along with practical sessions on dealing with violence and aggression.
Lunchtime events are providing local nurses with the chance to experience, complimentary therapies, have a free manicure or cholesterol check, check out RCN resources, enter a free prize draw and even dip marshmallows in a chocolate fountain. The Trust will be supplying cakes to all the wards for those nurses who have to stay on duty. Sponsors for the day include the Holiday Inn at Sutton, Sk:n and Arrowmark.
Nurses' Day is held annually on the 12th May - the anniversary of Florence Nightingale's birth - and is a global celebration of nursing.
A&E Charge Nurse Mike Smith who helped organise the event said: "I'm really proud to be a nurse and I think it's great that we have the opportunity to celebrate the vital work that we do especially in this diamond anniversary year of the NHS. There has never been a more important time to say in a positive way why nursing matters."
Samantha Jones, Chief Executive of Epsom and St Helier Trust said: "As a former nurse, I understand how hard nurses work to care for our patients. Nurses are truly the heart and soul of the NHS and it is only right that we take time out to not only thank them for their hard work and commitment but to also celebrate their achievements."
Dr Peter Carter, RCN General Secretary & Chief Executive said: "I hope as many nurses as possible from across the UK take this chance to celebrate Nurses' Day and highlight the extraordinary difference nurses make day in, day out to patients and their families."
Nurses' Day celebrations in the UK are led by the Royal College of Nursing, the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world.
