12 May 2010

The College of Nursing celebrates International Nurses Day, May 12, the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth, Tracey Osmond, Chief Executive said today.

“This year, the focus is Delivering Quality, Serving Communities: Nurses Leading Chronic Care,” said Osmond.

The theme is set each year by the International Council of Nurses, of which Rosemary Bryant, the Australian Commonwealth Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer is the current President.

“Chronic disease and its management are among the greatest challenges facing nurses today,” said Osmond.

“Chronic diseases are often complex and associated with other health-related and social conditions, meaning that they are more challenging to treat as they require treatment for each of the diseases and conditions associated with the overriding disease.”

Ideally, treatment of chronic diseases employs a multi-disciplinary approach; however, more often than other health professionals, it is nurses who provide the majority of care over the 24-hour period.

It is the aged care nurse who dresses the resident’s ulcerated leg.

It is the community nurse who gets to know patients in their own home.

It is the palliative care nurse who is there when the patient is in the end stages of life.

It is the paediatric nurse who reassures the child when mum or dad can’t be there.

It is the mental health nurse who knows that a patient is not just feeling down.

It is the rehabilitation nurse who helps the stroke patient take the first few steps.

These are only some of the nurses who manage the ongoing health problems of our communities.

They are to be celebrated along with other nursing colleagues.

Tracey Osmond is available for interview or comment Media contact Ian Steep 0412 601 983

The College of Nursing is a peak professional body representing nurses across Australia. It is the largest, longest established and most innovative provider of quality clinical specialty development and postgraduate nursing education in Australia. Our mission is to lead the development of the profession in line with the changing needs of the community, trends in health service delivery and the aspirations of nursing professionals themselves.