A nurse’s concerns on Nurses’ day 2020

Dear nurses!

‘HAPPY NURSES WEEK’ I am not sure whether I am wishing you wholeheartedly. As tomorrow is observed as INTERNATIONAL NURSES DAY, I can see nurses all over the world sharing their happiness and wishes on several social media platforms. Strangely I couldn’t celebrate it as everyone else does. I questioned myself repeatedly and I think here comes the answer to my query.

Are we really in a position to celebrate? Is nursing really celebrated all around the world? Are nurses recognized and appreciated everywhere? (Covid-19: Health workers attacked in cities) I can sense a blank face in you all.

‘ Nursing is a noble profession’ Oh! Hackneyed term. Is it really treated as ‘Nobel’ ‘profession’? Are nurses treated as ‘Nobel professionals’ ? Especially in developing countries like in India.

Before I commence my article, I would like you all to know a bit about me so that you will be able to sense the grievance which I have towards the nursing. I am a 23 years-old budding nurse who just graduated for JIPMER and later with a few years of experience as a critical care nurse both in private and Government Sector (in AIIMS Rishikesh), I moved to Oxford University Hospital, Oxford, UK recently. I emphasize this because I would like to let you know that I have experienced nursing both in private and government sectors as a student and a Registered Nurse. I think the above details fulfill the criteria to proceed further!

Introduction:
First of all, Nursing is an idiosyncratic profession but many times we are always treated as slaves of senior nurses and doctors. The moment we follow the doctor’s order without any further thought, there we loose our individuality. The terms decision making and critical thinking can be of use other than theory texts too.

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Myth Shattered:
Many think the one who made this pathetic situation of nurses is the physicians. Shockingly it is a big NO, but the nurses. We as senior nurses do not support our junior ones and hinder the growth of nursing by plucking those young buds. Instead, we as seniors can try to understand our fellow nurse’s needs and try to empower the professionals and hence the profession as a whole. Instead of passing the slavery nursing to the next generation we can help them to be independent and proactive. We can start this all with ourselves, by making an example of a good nurse and a mentor in front of the fellow nurses, hence the chain to goodness bring upon the breeze of the changes we want to see in nursing.

Institute’s contribution:
It is a well-known fact that many nurses are paid peanuts even after their strenuous work and indispensable positive contribution to the organization. I do not think that I need to elaborate much on this as you all are aware of this situation.
We all need to stand for our productive work culture and environment, convenient shifts, and interludes which is always neglected by many private as well as government institutions. Enhancing these will not only help in the growth of nursing but also uplift the standards of care to the patient. A sad nurse cant make a patient happy.

COVID-19 Scenario:
I really appreciate the efforts the Indian government has shown by clapping and showering flowers, but it shouldn’t stop here. Here in the UK, the public is not only clapping hands (every Thursday 8 PM) but also extending their support to health care workers by the means of following:

1. I hardly remember cooking and purchasing essential groceries from the day our hospital started treating COVID-19 patients. Everyday healthy and hygienic meals and food materials are provided to NHS workers in free of cost.
2. Each and every shop has some prioritized shopping timing for NHS staff. On top of it 20 to 100% discounts are offered especially to NHS staff.
3. NHS workers provided with free bicycles so that they don’t struck in public transport for their duties. This in turn reduces the cross-infection from key workers to public and vice-versa.
4. On the public’s contribution, a huge amount of money has been collected as a donation, in which several imperative and expensive biomedical equipment such as ventilators are purchased.
5. People really respect the NHS staff and nobody abuse and put the health workers out of the accommodation. No one refuses the last ceremonies of Health Care workers.

This comparison is not to criticize but to let you know the real ways of respecting Medical professionals. Stop laboring and start Treating patients.

Happy nurses day,
With Best Wishes,
Pavithra M.