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International Nurses Day 2024
International Nurses Day 2024
International Nurses Day is commemorated every year on the 12th May (the anniversary of Florence Nightingale's birth), in recognition of the bravery and selfless contributions of nurses around the world. Every year, this day is marked by the International Council of Nurses (ICN) with the production and distribution of nursing resources and evidence.
The theme for 2024 is the economic power of care, which created healthy people and societies. It's time to advocate for a shift in policy and perspective on the funding of nursing, as the undervaluing of nursing's impact on society has been widely undervalued.
With this in mind, we are sharing important developments made in the field of nursing, particularly in relation to marginalised communities, to highlight how important innovation has been and will be for nursing. With the right funding, education, and support, nursing can continue to develop and grow, shaping our society as it has done for generations. The following information can be used as a starting point from which your knowledge can grow.
Goldie Brangman
(1917-2020)
Goldie was an American nurse, educator, and advocate for equal rights in the field of nursing. She co-founded the School of Anesthesia at Harlem Hospital and became the hospital's director of nursing. She was also the first African American president of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists. Goldie worked to address discrimination and promote diversity and inclusion in the nursing profession and was known for her contributions to improving patient care. She was part of the surgical team that treated Martin Luther King Jr. after an attempted assassination in 1958. Her legacy continues to inspire nurses and healthcare professionals.
Mary Seacole
(1805-1881)
Mary Seacole was a Jamaican-born British nurse and entrepreneur who made significant contributions to the field of nursing during the Crimean War. She established the 'British Hotel", which provided medical care and comfort for sick and wounded soldiers regardless of their race.
Mary was praised by many high-ranking officials for her excellent medical knowledge and skills, which proved invaluable throughout the war.
Her autobiography, "The Wonderful Adventures of Mrs Seacole in Many Lands", recounts her experiences as a nurse, and is a great resource for any curious nurses.
Mary Eliza Mahoney
(1845-1926)
Mary Eliza Mahoney was the first African American person to graduate from an American school of nursing. In her time as a nurse, she worked with Martha Minerva Franklin and Adah B. Thoms to improve access to nursing practices and raise standards of living for African American nurses.
Mary was inducted into the American Nurses Association Hall of Fame in 1976, which is just one of many achievements showing her significant contributions to nursing.
Adah Belle Thoms
(1870-1943)
Adah Belle Thoms cofounded the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses (NACGN) and served as President from 1916-1923. She was also acting director at the Lincoln School of Nurses in New York and fought for African Americans to serve as American Red Cross nurses in World War 1.
Adah was one of the first nurses inducted into the American Nurses Association Hall of Fame when it was first established in 1976.
Florence Nightingale
(1820-1910)
Famously known as 'The Lady with the Lamp', Florence Nightingale is widely considered the founder of modern nursing. It is on her birthday that we celebrate International Nurses Day, and the contributions that she made to the field of nursing have truly shaped how we practice today.
Florence significantly reduced the death rates in the Crimean War by improving hygiene and living standards, through sterilisation and sanitisation. Many of her methods are still used today.
If you'd like to learn more about the DEI content included in some of our titles, the below summaries and free chapters can provide a deeper dive into the work we're doing to ensure that all of our titles are inclusive:
Essential Clinical Skills in Nursing
Deborah Rowberry
Equity, diversity, and inclusion have been included in each chapter of this book. To ensure that it represents a diverse group of students and patients, recommendations of DEI consultants have been incorporated throughout this title. Each chapter promotes critical thinking and creates discussions that are important to marginalised groups.
The Handbook for Nursing Associates and Assistant Practitioners
Gillian Rowe
As seen in the sample chapter below, the first chapter of this book provides a great introduction to the fundamental skills required for nursing. The jargon-free and accessible guide is great for neurodivergent learners, as everything is explained in detail, starting with the basics.
Reflective Practice in Nursing
Philip Esterhuizen
Many of the case studies in Reflective Practice in Nursing relate to underrepresented groups in society. For example, in Chapter 2 a long case study encourages students to reflect on the challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community. Furthermore, this title has been updated to include information about how symptoms show up differently on different skin tones.