International Nurses Day (IND) occurs annually on the 12 May, the anniversary of Florence Nightingale's birth. It is organised by the International Council of Nurses with the objective of celebrating the contributions that nurses make to the society around the world.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, health systems and healthcare workers worldwide are under enormous strain. In responding to this pressure, the whole industry is on the brink of large-scale disruption as we witness digital innovation accelerating to reshape healthcare as we know today. 

As the largest provider of healthcare services, nurses are leading this revolution of the healthcare system. An unique profession that is present throughout our entire lifetime to ensure each and every one of us receives the best possible care regardless of who we are, or where we may be. As many will have heard before, nursing is far more than a choice, it is a calling.

Kirsty Bashforth, Diaverum Chief People and Communications Officer, said: “Over 50% of our workforce is made up of nurses: a global team across 24 countries, with a wealth of knowledge, experience and dedication to enabling fulfilling lives.

“It’s through this population that the future of healthcare really comes alive: the everyday interaction with patients, the delivery of true care. Day in day out, our nurses are the ones implementing the innovations with patients, but it’s also where they may be discovered, through a simple idea, a story heard, an informal experiment.

“Our nurses are at the heart, the very core, of the future of healthcare and the revolution that is underway.”

Filiz Akadeniz, Corporate Nursing Director at Diaverum and 34 years as a nurse, said: “The nursing industry is changing faster than the time itself. With introduction of new technologies and an ageing patient population, nurses are now needed more than ever.

“As a nursing professional, nurses ensure that patient care keeps pace with changes in the field. This responsibility brings the need to stay abreast of industry developments to make sure that the nursing profession is up to date so that nurses can offer great clinical practice.

“Nurses have long been an integral part of the healthcare system, but it was not until recent years that nursing professionals have seen increased opportunities for leadership roles. These increased leadership opportunities, however, require different professional qualifications.

“With the development of technology, the amount of healthcare data that is collected through information technology looks promising too. This includes data such as electronic health records, patient portals and wearable devices. The information collected is assessed and leveraged to make appropriate improvements to existing procedures and clinical strategies. This trend does have a significant impact on nursing practice. Informatics’ increasing role is changing the way that nurses record and communicate patient information, and therefore how care is coordinated and delivered.

“Currently, nursing workforce professionals would most frequently hold a bachelor’s degree and I think the future will require the nurses to elevate their degrees in terms of nursing education.”

What about you? How do you see nursing transforming into the future?

We have asked around to our Diaverum nurses across the business. Watch our video below and hear what they have to say :

Thank you to all nurses. Today is your day.