These immortal words have echoed through the tides of time, their essence everlasting, perfectly encapsulating the sheer courage, unbreakable will, soaring spirit and an unconditional advocacy towards humanity given by Florence Nightingale.
A true heroine during the Crimean war, she is credited as the founder of modern nursing.
Popularly known as “The lady of the lamp”, Nightingale was also a prolific writer and a brilliant statistician, who penned down more than 150 books and articles throughout her life.
To commemorate her life and spirit, ICN celebrates the International nurses day every year on May 12th, the anniversary of her birthday.
The theme for International Nurses’ Day 2022, “Nurses: A Voice to Lead – Invest in Nursing and respect rights to secure global health”, rightly highlights the key elements that must be addressed with regard to the improvement of nursing and it’s reach throughout the world.
Society has been in constant battle with covid-19 pandemic ever since it’s outbreak in 2019.
The unprecedented spread of coronavirus sent the world into a flurry, pushing nurses all over the world into the forefront of the battle.
Significant changes have taken place throughout the world especially in terms of healthcare, which in turn has challenged the limitations of authority provided towards nursing and its advocacy today.
The shortage of healthcare providers during Covid-19 pandemic calls for nurses to be able to practice to the full extent of their education and licenses.
The time is nigh, and there is no place for bystanders in the field of healthcare anymore.
If someone asks me, I would say, the creed that binds and drives nursing or any other form of advocacy in time of peril lies in a four letter word, ‘ Hope ‘.
Like the lamp of Nightingale which parted and shined a light into the dark cathartic night in Constantinople saving lives and changing history, the care and attention from thousands of health workers around the world has kept the society warm during the cold nights of our pandemic stricken society.
This day is not a celebration but a testament to the uncountable days of hard-work, selflessness and unyielding service provided by nurses around the world. But the war is not over and lives are yet to be saved, wounds are yet to be tended for, hands to be held for comfort and spirits to be lifted so that mankind can see another day.
By Ritu Biswakarma
1st year PB. BSc NURSING
SIKKIM PROFESSIONAL COLLEGE OF NURSING