May 12th is recognised globally as International Nurses Day, commemorating the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale, born on 12 May 1820. This significant day is part of Nurses’ Week, which highlights the invaluable contributions of nurses worldwide. It is essential for all of us to join in celebrating this occasion.
Nursing itself represents a triumph over patients’ hopelessness, despair and worries in the absence of medical interventions. Nurses form the backbone of the healthcare sector, playing a vital role in ensuring the well-being of nations. As we celebrate Nurses Week, let us be reminded that we are the solid bricks in the tower of the health sector, bringing comfort to the unwell, their families, and communities. Here’s to our fellow nurses!
At this moment and on this platform, I would like to make a heartfelt plea to nurses in Namibia and beyond. Let us renew our commitment to nursing
ethics, and reinforce the fundamental principles of nursing to revitalise its original essence. Nursing is a noble profession rooted in altruism, autonomy, human dignity, integrity, honesty and social justice. To elaborate further, nursing means caring, showing compassion, demonstrating competence and communicating effectively, all while maintaining courage and commitment.
I also urge my fellow nurses to remember that patients or clients are at the core of everything we do. The Patient Charter emphasises that every individual visiting any Ministry of Health and Social Services’ facility has the right to access services regardless of socio-economic status, race or ethnic origin, religion or beliefs, gender or sexual orientation, age or political orientation.
Furthermore, we are serving a knowledge-based society, where patients often research their conditions before seeking assistance at our facilities. This should motivate us to stay up-to-date with the latest remedial information by reading extensively, expanding our knowledge, skills and technical expertise through advanced studies, and increasing our exposure in healthcare delivery.
The primary care that a nurse provides to a patient/client begins with a courteous approach, accompanied by compassion and a warm smile. Equally important is listening to the client/patient with utmost respect, and gathering their subjective data before forming judgements that could worsen their condition.
As mandated, we must examine and treat patients as soon as reasonably and practically possible. I implore my fellow nurses to avoid unnecessarily prolonging patients’ stays at our facilities, as it leads to frustration, hesitancy in seeking clinical visits, and worsens their overall condition. By committing ourselves to our work and being available at all times for patients, starting precisely at the official starting time and ending at the official closing time, we can minimise these issues.
In summary, competency breeds confidence, and having a clear understanding of our responsibilities enhances efficiency and effectiveness. This, in turn, reduces the time allocated to each client, shortens their duration at the
facility, builds trust and alleviates congestion in healthcare settings, ultimately minimising the risk of nosocomial infections. Let us keep the flame of dedication burning and embrace this year’s theme, ‘Our Nurses, Our Future’. Happy Nurses Day to all nurses around the world. *Tauno Haufiku is a registered nurse in the Ministry of Health and Social Services.