Nursing: A truly 21st century profession

(PR.co.nz) Nursing is consistently one of New Zealand’s most trusted professions, but many people don’t fully realise how complex and diverse the work done by modern nurses is.” That comment from Andrew Bridgman – the Acting Director General of Health comes on International Nurses Day, which is marked around the world each year on Florence Nightingale’s birthday – May 12

“The public consistently ranks nursing as one of their most trusted professions, and rightly so.

“The reality is that nurses are highly trained professionals who take a very hands-on role in patient care, and in planning care for patients with complex health needs.

“We have highly specialised nurses in different disciplines. We have nurses who are able to prescribe medicines. We have nurses who perform a wide variety of treatments, and in many cases do a huge amount of post-graduate study to further sharpen their skills. Nursing is a truly 21st century profession,” Andrew Bridgman says.

Jane O’Malley, Chief Nurse with the Ministry of Health, welcomes those comments, which were made in the context of discussing International Nurses Day.

International Nurses Day this year is about increasing access and equity, and Dr O’Malley says that’s very relevant to New Zealand.

“Nurses know that enabling all New Zealanders to access the right health services in the right place at the right time is key to improving health, wellbeing and life expectancy.

“On this day, we want to thank all nurses for their continued work to achieve those goals across the health sector,” Jane O’Malley said.

Media Release on 12 May 2011 from Ministry of Health.