RCN Nurses’ Day Campaign launches with Sarah Brown video
Published: 31 March 2011
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) today launched a major new online campaign to celebrate Nurses’ Day 2011 on 12 May. As part of the launch, writer and maternal mortality campaigner, Sarah Brown, speaks in a video on the campaign website of her support for nursing.
In the run up to Nurses’ Day on 12 May, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is calling on patients, their friends and families, and nurses to sign a pledge showing their support for individual nurses and the profession as a whole.
Nurses’ Day is an internationally recognised day that celebrates everything that’s good about nurses and nursing. The 12 May was chosen as the birth date of Florence Nightingale who is recognised by many as an important founder of modern nursing.
The Nurses’ Day website encourages patients to upload their stories about excellent nursing care and why they will be celebrating nurses’ day. Nurses are also encouraged to send in their stories about what they love about the profession and why they enjoy being a nurse.
The site also includes information about events on 12 May and free downloads. The website will become a place to share and celebrate stories about the caring profession.
Speaking in a video on the website, Sarah Brown, Global Patron of the White Ribbon Alliance and co-chair of the Maternal Mortality Campaign said: “A big thank you to all nurses, the nurses all around this country, the nurses who are there when new life comes into the world and are there to hold your hand when you depart – and at all the stages along the way with the ups and downs of life.”
Dr Peter Carter, RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary, said:
“Nurses play a key role in the fabric of society and of course, many are the lynchpin that holds the NHS together. Nurses’ Day is an opportunity to celebrate the most caring profession in the UK. In 2011, we are encouraging people from all walks of life, up and down the country, to tell us why they love nurses. Everyone has a story of where nursing care has made a huge difference to their life or the lives of their loved ones. We’re asking the public to share these on our dedicated website. We’re also asking nurses themselves to tell us why they love their job and what makes them proud to be part of the nursing profession.”
The full text of the pledge reads: Nurses are incredible - they help us stay healthy, care for our families and heal our loved ones. I want to say thank you to each and every nurse, that's why I pledge to show my support for Nurses’ Day on 12th May.
Ends
Notes to editors
1.For further information, interviews or illustrations please contact the RCN Media Office on 0207 647 3633, press.office@rcn.org.uk or visit http://www.rcn.org.uk/newsevents/media
2. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK and is the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world. The RCN promotes the interest of nurses and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape healthcare policy by working closely with the UK Government and other national and international institutions, trade unions, professional bodies and voluntary organisations
3. Sarah Brown is Global Patron of the White Ribbon Alliance and co-chair of the Maternal Mortality Campaign that is highlighting the crucial role of nurses, midwives and other health professionals across the world in preventing needless maternal and newborn deaths, and to fill the global health worker gap of 3.5 million.