International Nurses Day is celebrated on 12 May every year to remember the contribution of nurses in our day to day life .
Thousands of nurses working globally, especially in government hospitals, risk catching serious infections while handling patients. A common occurrence in labour rooms is amniotic fluid splashing on them, even as the nurses are unaware if the patient has any infection. And yet, nurses are overworked and underpaid. Although most hospitals have been upgraded with more beds and other facilities for patients, the nurse-patient ratio has not improved.
The day marks the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale, who is known as the founder of modern nursing. The day has been celebrated since 1965.
The theme for this year’s Nurses Day is “Nurses: A Force for Change: Care Effective, Cost Effective”.