The Bermuda Nurses Association held a proclamation reading to celebrate International Nurses Day on the steps of City Hall today. With social distance restrictions in place, Her Excellency Governor Rena Lalgie, the Minister of Health Kim Wilson, JP, MP, and Councillor John Harvey joined members of the Bermuda Nurses Association to mark the occasion.
Minister of Health Kim Wilson thanked Bermuda’s nurses for their hard work and dedication. The Minister said, “It has been quite a challenging year, especially for our nurses who have served our community well. Your care, compassion, and commitment to ensure all of our safety during this pandemic has been critical to this island’s health and wellbeing.”
“As the Minister responsible for health, as a wife, a mother, and as an active member of my community, I understand and truly value the hard work that our nurses are faced with on a daily basis.”
May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, is celebrated worldwide as International Nurses Day to reflect on the contribution nurses have made to the community.
“Today was an exciting and memorable day for the Bermuda Nurses Association (BNA) since reading the Nurses Proclamation is the first official public event since 2019,” commented Renee Faulcon RN MSN, President of the Bermuda Nurses Association.
“This is a significant occasion for Nurses as it provides an insight into the role of the Nurse in Bermuda, noting the depth and breadth of the profession. It was a pleasure to have the Her Excellency Governor Rena Lalgie, Minister of Health, the Honorable Kim Wilson, JP, MP, and Councillor John Harvey in attendance at the Proclamation. It is heartwarming to know how nurses are revered and respected in the community. To all nurses, thank you for your dedication, hard work, and service to the community. Your compassionate care is truly a gift worth noting.”
The year 2020 was the year designated by the World Health Organization as the year of the Nurse and the Midwife, and many nursing organizations had planned special events to commemorate the occasion. However, the impact of the novel coronavirus and the pandemic cancelled all celebrations and events for nurses in 2020. The international council of nurses introduced the theme for 2021, Nurses A Voice to Lead: A vision for future Healthcare focusing on changes to and innovations in nursing and how this will shape the future of health care. Investing in critical areas of the nursing profession such as education, research, and leadership will assist in sustaining the delivery of quality patient-centered care.