Celebration draws attention to the importance of primary health care nurses

08/05/2008 | International Nurses Day

Monday 12 May marks International Nurses Day, a celebration of the role nurses play in society. It is an annual event marked each year on the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth. 

Previous themes have been wide ranging and this year’s theme is delivering quality, serving communities – nurses leading primary health care.

Nursing practice is the very essence of primary health care. Nurses deliver services wherever people are found: in homes, marae, schools, workplaces, prisons, health and wellness clinics, and other community settings, as well as in hospitals, education and research settings.

The theme this year has particularly relevance for MidCentral District Health Board’s Nursing Development Team (NDT). Located at Health on Main in Palmerston North, the NDT is charged with the task of supporting and developing MidCentral’s primary health care nursing workforce. 
Underpinning their work is a ‘nurses working in partnership’ model of practice. This model is not dependent upon practice settings but rather represents the various roles of nurses and the contribution they make to the various communities they serve.

Director of nursing primary health care, Chiquita Hansen, says that the day is a chance to acknowledge the hard work and service that nurses provide in the community.
“With a world-wide shift from hospital to community based health care, organisations like the Nursing Development Team are becoming influential in ensuring that the infrastructure and workforce are in place to service the publics’ health needs,” says Ms Hansen.

The work of the Nursing Development Team is based on the long-standing focus that MidCentral DHB’s nursing governance has had on developing a sustainable structure for the improvement of nursing service and care. This focus is one which encompasses clinical practice, education and research and collaborative leadership.

“Not only does the Nursing Development Team provide guidance and professional development to current primary health care nurses,” says Ms Hansen, “they are also involved in training new nurses and delivering undergraduate and postgraduate education at Massey University and UCOL.” 

To commemorate International Nurses Day, the Nursing Development Team is hosting an evening of celebration and networking for the district’s nurses and those who work alongside to support and educate them.

rnational Nurses Day provides an excellent opportunity for all nurses to come together and celebrate their commitment to the health of communities,” says Ms Hansen. “We’re looking forward to honouring the great work our nurses do.”

CONTACT:
Caroline Rowe
Communications Advisor – Funding Division
MidCentral DHB
021 162 0274