Good morning everyone,
It is a privilege to stand before you today to honor and celebrate one of the most vital pillars of our healthcare system—our nurses. Each year, on May 12th, people all over the globe gather to observe International Nurses Day, a day dedicated to recognizing the selfless work, resilience, and compassion of nurses everywhere.
Why May 12th? This day marks the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale, the pioneer of modern nursing. Her revolutionary work during the Crimean War laid the foundation for nursing as a respected, scientific, and deeply human profession. Even today, more than 200 years later, her influence continues to shape healthcare practices and inspire millions.
But this day is not just about the past. It’s also about the present—and even more, the future. The theme for this year’s International Nurses Day is “Our Nurses. Our Future. The Economic Power of Care.” This theme reflects the growing recognition of how critical nurses are—not only to public health but also to the economic strength and resilience of communities and nations.
Nurses are often the first point of contact in a healthcare setting. They are the first to respond to emergencies, the first to notice changes in a patient’s condition, and often the first to offer comfort and clarity to families in distress. Their role is not only medical—it’s emotional, psychological, and even spiritual. They are healers, listeners, educators, and protectors all rolled into one.
And yet, their incredible contribution is too often overlooked or undervalued.
Let’s take a moment to truly understand what nurses do.
Nurses work in hospitals, clinics, schools, nursing homes, disaster zones, and even on the streets. They assist in surgeries, manage chronic illnesses, and help deliver babies. They administer medications, track symptoms, and maintain life-saving equipment. In addition to these clinical responsibilities, they also provide emotional support to patients and families. They advocate for their patients’ needs and speak up for those who can’t speak for themselves.
The COVID-19 pandemic shone a spotlight on the nursing profession in ways we had never seen before. During those difficult years, nurses were on the frontlines—facing fear, risk, and exhaustion, often with limited protective equipment and overwhelming caseloads. Many worked double and triple shifts. Some were separated from their families for weeks or months. Too many lost their lives while saving others.
And yet, despite the immense challenges, they kept showing up.
The sacrifices made by nurses during that time should never be forgotten. But more importantly, they should not be in vain. As we rebuild and strengthen our healthcare systems, we must ask ourselves: what are we doing to support the people who support us?
According to the World Health Organization, the world currently faces a shortage of more than 6 million nurses. This is not just a workforce issue—it is a global health crisis in the making. When we don’t have enough nurses, patient care suffers. Communities suffer. Economies suffer.
Investing in nursing means investing in public health. Research shows that countries with stronger nursing workforces have better healthcare outcomes, lower patient mortality rates, and more efficient health systems. Nurses play a critical role in preventive care, chronic disease management, and health education—all of which contribute to long-term economic savings.
But support for nurses must go beyond numbers. It must include quality education, opportunities for career growth, safe working environments, fair wages, access to mental health care, and a genuine seat at the decision-making table.
Let us be honest—nursing is not easy. It’s physically demanding, emotionally intense, and mentally challenging. It requires long hours on your feet, rapid decision-making under pressure, and deep emotional resilience. Nurses witness both the beginning and end of life, often in the same day. They carry the weight of others’ suffering and yet are expected to remain calm, kind, and composed.
To every nurse listening today: we see your dedication. We feel your strength. And we honor your unwavering compassion.
You are not just caregivers. You are the foundation of our health systems. You don’t just save lives—you touch them, transform them, and sometimes, you are the reason someone chooses to keep going.
Florence Nightingale once said, “I attribute my success to this: I never gave or took any excuse.” Today’s nurses embody that same spirit of perseverance and purpose. You show up—not just to do a job, but to fulfill a calling.
To the young students considering a career in nursing: you are stepping into a noble profession—one that demands courage, but offers meaning. You will gain not just knowledge and skills, but purpose and perspective. You will be trusted by strangers, confided in by families, and remembered for years. Few careers offer that level of impact.
To families and communities: take time today to thank the nurses in your lives. Whether it’s a neighbor, a relative, a friend, or a healthcare worker who cared for you during a tough time—reach out. Your words matter more than you know.
To hospitals, clinics, and government leaders: the time to act is now. Words of gratitude are important—but they must be followed by action. Let’s fund nursing schools. Let’s improve staffing ratios. Let’s provide mental health support. Let’s empower nurses to lead, research, and innovate. When nurses are strong, health systems are strong.
To those who say change takes time—I say, we cannot afford to wait. Every day we delay is a day someone suffers because care wasn’t available or wasn’t adequate. Nurses are not just an expense on a budget—they are an investment in a healthier, more equitable future.
So on this International Nurses Day, let us move beyond celebration. Let us move toward commitment. Let us not just honor nurses—but uplift them, empower them, and walk with them as partners in health.
Let us commit to building a world where every nurse is respected, supported, and safe.
Let us commit to making nursing not just a profession—but a promise—a promise of care, of compassion, of healing, and of hope.
To every nurse around the world: thank you. Thank you for your strength. Thank you for your grace. Thank you for your heart.
Happy International Nurses Day.