We celebrate the work and commitment of nurses every day, especially on International Nurses Day. We invite you to take a moment on 12 May to pause, reflect and think about your valuable contribution as a nurse.

Your work as a nurse and support of all people throughout Australia is seen and applauded by us. We think you are AMAZING.

Our global body, the International Council of Nurses (ICN)  leads the celebration of the valuable contribution of nurses every year on May 12.  They offer events and resources to help you celebrate and acknowledge this important day and year for nurses and their supporters. 

ICN is a federation of more than 130 national nurses’ associations, representing the more than 27 million nurses worldwide. WOW! 27 million nurses worldwide is a number worth celebrating!

This year, the theme for International Nurses Day is Nurses: A voice to lead — Invest in nursing and respect rights to secure global health. A celebration of the vital voice of nurses to positively influence the health and care of others.

We hope the world agrees that listening to the voices of nurses will assist to improve care and investing in nursing is better for everyone.

We acknowledge your commitment, expertise, and awesomeness, but also what it might have cost you. Thank you for your unique contribution. Whatever you do next, we could not have made it this far without you. 

At Nurse & Midwife Support, we think that nurses are amazing. We also recognise that working as a nurse through the COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging, stressful, and difficult for many. Hearing your stories and supporting you has been our privilege.

Since our inception, Nurse & Midwife Support has been committed to sharing the unique perspectives and experiences of nurses. Here are just some of the stories we have been privileged to share:

• In 2020 mental health nurse Tessa Moriarty shared her wonderful and heartfelt story Caring, a mutual and collective experience of nurses with us. It went on to win the inaugural Nurse & Midwife Support story competition that year. Tessa also joined us on the podcast to discuss how she gives back to the profession that has given her so much.
• Geoff*, a registered nurse, shared Not the Only Canary in the COVID-19 Coal Mine: A nurse’s story of post-traumatic stress disorder, which detailed the trauma he experienced working in the aged care system during the early waves of the pandemic. Geoff hoped that sharing his story would encourage other nurses who were struggling to reach out for help — we thank him for his bravery and generosity.
• Registered nurse Maddi Munro shared Navigating shift work and complex menstrual cycles: My experience, acknowledging the toll her hormones could take on her work and how she learned to balance the needs of her body with the demands of her profession.
• Our very own Cally Berryman shared the story of her 40-year career, advocating for the health and wellbeing of nurses and laying some of the foundations that led to the development of Nurse & Midwife Support. Check out Cally’s Story: My Nursing Journey.
• Carole and Julie shared the story of a friendship forged working in the oncology wing, and how sometimes friends who are also nurses understand you like nobody else.

Support is vital for nurses. When you care for others you need to carve out YOU time. Your health absolutely does matter. We encourage you to share your stories, with each other, your friends and family, or with us.

The team at Nurse & Midwife Support believe nurses are awesome, and we are always here to support you. If you need support, give us a call on 1800 667 877 or email us — free, confidential, 24/7.

Happy International Nurses Day from all of us at Nurse & Midwife support!