As I write this, I’m mindful of colleagues overseas, especially in India, still gripped by C-19, working tirelessly, relentlessly and in incredibly challenging situations, so it doesn’t feel that we can celebrate quite yet.
This time last year I was organising to project a picture of a nurse onto the Houses of Parliament, to recognise WHO Year of the Nurse and Midwife and say “ Thank you to all those who care” . It was an amazing site to look out of the window from the GI ward at the hospital where I work, to see those words projected onto such an iconic building. I felt incredibly proud of our part we played in the pandemic response. As I looked out of the window, it made me pause, reflect and remember why I do what I do. Why I came into nursing, my journey so far and the (little) contribution I have made.
Maybe over this last year you have been stretched to your limit, redeployed to unfamiliar areas, seen and done things you never thought you would in your career. Maybe you’ve experienced the heartbreak of family, friends and colleagues lost to this virus? Perhaps you have risen to the challenges and now seeking a new role or professional development? I encourage you this Nurse’s day, to take a moment and reflect on your story.
It’s now time to think about you, perhaps a well-earned holiday, maybe “staycation”, visiting family and friends, maybe time to dip into the RCN’s wellbeing resources and professional development, even a Career conversation with someone/ job role you aspire. GI Nursing offers you so much, there are endless opportunities and possibilities, but you need to go looking.
So this Nurse’s day, “Thank you to all those who care”, but reflect on you, your part played and what’s next for you . I’ll leave you with Florence’s own words “Unless we are making progress in our nursing every year, every month, every week, take my word for it we are going back”.
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