Nurses: The Beating Hearts of Healthcare
By: Sayima Wani
From the bygone eras to the present, nursing profession has grown remarkably, making an impactful influence on the healthcare system around the globe.
Nurses serve as the beacon of hope and are regarded as the cornerstone of the healthcare system. Right from the admission of the patient to the hospital, nurses make every effort to build the patient’s trust, help the patients ventilate their fears, provide care, comfort and compassion to the patient and foster hope and resilience in turbulent times.
Explicitly, nurses serve as an oasis in the desert of patient’s lives. Nurses’ job is not just bound to care giving; they also outshine their role as educators, leaders, advocates, communicators, counsellors, managers, researchers, and innovators. They are the compassionate cores, who always make certain that patients receive the best possible quality of care.
Despite being recognized as a noble profession, nurses still encounter numerous challenges. They are frequently belittled and demeaned in their position, with some preconceiving it as a “Women’s-only profession”.
Although, it is gladdening to see a multitude of men breaking the stereotypes, and stepping in this profession with great zeal. Furthermore, the increased workload, high patient-to-nurse ratio, and low wages expose them to burnout (Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress).
Throughout the world there is paucity of nurses, with India being gravely affected? As reported by data, the country has only 1.9 nurses per 1,000 people, which lags the WHO laid norm of 3 nurses per 1,000 population.
In J&K the healthcare sector is facing a huge shortage of nurses. Thousands of nursing posts are vacant from past 4 years. The insufficiency of nursing workforce places an overwhelming workload on the existing staff. Hence, exerts a negative impact on the quality of care and patient safety.
Nursing is an emotionally and physically demanding field in spite of that; it is one of the highly rewarding and impactful career paths. It is the only profession that’s consistently in demand in every corner of the globe.
It is pertinent to mention the legacy of “Florence Nightingale”– the nursing trailblazer, who wove threads of change in the tapestry of modern nursing practice through her exemplary and phenomenal contributions.
Florence was born on May 12, 1820 in Italy. She is famed for her selfless care of soldiers during the Crimean War. Prior to her nursing was considered an inept and slovenly profession. Undoubtedly, in this day and age, the standards of nursing are rapidly growing.
Nurses are becoming more competent in their field of work and possess an excellent decision making skills. Each year on 12th May (which is the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale) nurses’ day is celebrated to acknowledge the compassion, devotion, and commitment of nurses.
On this International nurse’s day, let’s pledge to honor, value, and applaud the dedication and sacrifices of the beating hearts of the healthcare worldwide. Happy nurses day to all the nurses out there!
(The author is a Nursing graduate and can be reached at sayimawani131@gmail.com)
