Media Release May 09 2008

Celebrating our Nurses

Anyone who has been a patient in hospital will have experienced the care and dedication of nurses – qualities that have made them one of the most respected professions in the world.

Royal North Shore Hospital celebrated International Nurses’ and Midwives Week every day this week to recognise the significant contribution nurses make to quality patient care.

International Nurses’ Day is an annual celebration of nursing held across the globe on 12th May - Florence Nightingale’s birthday.

On Friday 9th May Royal North Shore Hospital will hold a barbeque lunch. At 1pm a presentation will be made which includes awards for role model of the year, team of the year, consistent patient advocate and a Hazel Lorking Scholarship Award which recognises clinical excellence in cardio thoracic nursing.

RNSH Acting Director of Nursing and Midwifery, Jan Tweedie, said the aim of the celebrations is to show the hospital’s nursing staff how much they are appreciated.

“Day in, day out, a nurse’s job is to focus on their patients, so it’s a nice change to focus on them and show our appreciation for their hard work and commitment to patient care.”

Ms Tweedie said nursing is a valued profession that offers great rewards.

“Nursing is not just a job - it's a rewarding career,” she said. “It offers credentials that mean you can work anywhere in the world in a variety of fields including clinical, management, education, research and health promotion.

“Most importantly, in nursing you have the chance to make a difference to the quality of someone’s life,” Ms Tweedie said.

Interview and photo opportunities
Friday 9th May at 1pm.

Media Contact: Emily Saker 0404 054 160

Authorisation Stamp