Celebrating Compassion: Honouring the Dedication of Nurses on International Nurses Day 2025

Summary

• Nurses and midwives serve critical roles in promoting health and contributing to the overall economy.
• Globally, there are an estimated 29 million nurses and 2.2 million midwives.
• The World Health Organisation predicts a deficit of 4.5 million nurses and 0.31 million midwives by 2030.
• Investing in nurses is critical for creating efficient, effective, resilient, and sustainable health systems.
• Nurses not only offer crucial care, but they also help shape health policies and drive primary care.
• Nurses and midwives provide emergency care and help to ensure the sustainability of global health systems.

What is International Nurses Day?

International Nurses Day is celebrated every year on May 12 to recognise the contributions of nurses all over the world. The aim is to appreciate the crucial and positive role of the nursing profession in our societies and economies.

It is celebrated on May 12 because it is the date of birth of Florence Nightingale, the renowned British nurse who is often called the foundational philosopher of modern nursing.

Global nursing organisations organise different events on this day and collaborate on special gatherings to express gratitude to nurses and highlight their positive impact on society.

International Nurses Day and the Global Shortage of Nurses

Nurses play a critical role in primary healthcare around the world. That is why their shortage cast a long negative shadow over the healthcare systems in so many countries.

The situation is so critical that even the richest countries in the world are struggling to train or retain nurses in their health systems.

Nurses and midwives serve critical roles in promoting health and contributing to the overall economy. They are also crucial because they are intertwined in the cultures and communities where they operate, especially in developing countries.

Globally, there are an estimated 29 million nurses and 2.2 million midwives, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The shortage of nurses is a massive problem all over the world. The World Health Organisation predicts a deficit of 4.5 million nurses and 0.31 million midwives by 2030.

Throughout the world, multilateral organisations and governments are collaborating to invest in nurses for effective, resilient, and sustainable health systems.

Problems of Nurses in Canada

Nurses in Canada face several problems. Some of the major problems include the shortage of nurses, poor resource management, different kinds of inequalities, systematic racism with Black, Indigenous and people of colour, etc.

There are more than 450,000 nurses in Canada. They constitute the largest group of health professionals in the country.

However, nurses face serious issues related to workloads, stress, anxiety, depression, abuse, high rates of burnout, etc.

Considering all these challenges, the government of Canada is also increasing its investments in the Canadian healthcare sector.

High Demand of Nurses in Canada

Just like other healthcare jobs, nurses are in demand in Canada. Many rich countries, including Canada, are looking to hire and train more and more nurses because of ever-growing shortages.

There is a strong risk of a shortage of nurses in Canada over the period of 2024-2033 at the national level, according to the Job Bank.

The median salary of a registered nurse is $42 per hour in Canada. Nunavut pays the highest median salary of $64.69 per hour, while Ontario has the lowest median salary, which is $40.00 per hour.

Registered nurses usually get additional benefits other than the wages and salaries. These include employer-sponsored pension plans; dental, medical, and life insurance plans; leave entitlements; different kinds of vacations and other such benefits.

Conclusion

International Nurses Day provides us an ideal opportunity annually to come together and appreciate the nursing profession. These nurses are the backbone of any healthcare system, and the governments are fast realising their significance.

Let’s hope that this International Nurses Day brings due recognition and more opportunities that our nurses deserve.

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