Being a professional - and taking pride in the work we do and the people we work alongside - is essential to upholding high standards of care, compassion, and workplace ethics. I’m incredibly proud to work in an organisation that not only values excellence, but also empowers people to thrive, regardless of their background or identity.

The word pride holds many meanings. But when we talk about professional pride, we’re talking about respect, appreciation, and the celebration of who we are and what we bring to the workplace. This Pride season, my colleagues and I are highlighting why professional pride is so important - not only to us, but to our members, families, friends, and wider communities.

So, what is professional pride?

At its heart, professional pride is about living our values. It’s the opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to equality, kindness, and integrity - not just in how we work, but in how we speak, support one another, and stand in solidarity.

As nursing professionals, we live these principles every day. But there’s great strength in sharing our pride out loud - in championing inclusion, celebrating difference, and driving meaningful change within our workplaces and beyond.

Nurses aren’t just patient advocates - we’re professional advocates too. We raise our voices for our colleagues, understanding that every one of us contributes to the success of our organisations. No matter your role, background, or beliefs - your contribution matters. You matter.

There’s no single way to express professional pride, but here are a few ideas that can help create more inclusive and supportive environments:

• Use inclusive language in everything you do, whether spoken or written. Language shapes experiences - it’s a small change that can make a huge difference. For example this list from Stonewall is a great place to start!
• Include your pronouns in your email signature. Addressing people by the pronouns they identify with is a basic mark of respect. Many trans and non-binary people are often misgendered, which can lead to marginalisation and distress.
• Ask when you're unsure. If something feels unfamiliar - be it terminology or how best to support someone - don’t be afraid to ask. Asking with kindness shows your intention to do better.
• Encourage open, respectful conversations. Learn from one another and create spaces where people feel safe to share, reflect, and grow.

Professional pride is not a new idea - but it’s a powerful phrase that captures the essence of what we do. It’s about living the values set out in the NMC Code and bringing them to life in our daily practice.

This means advocacy for our colleagues and ensuring allyship, see Sally’s blog and the Pride in Nursing webpage for further discussion on this extremely important area.

It is important to remember that we don’t leave any of these values behind when we leave work - they’re part of who we are.

Together, we are stronger.

Together, we make a difference.

And together, we can build a more inclusive and empowering future for all.