Victoria celebrates a state of wonderful nurses

Victorian hospitals, health services and communities came out in force yesterday to celebrate International Nurses Day and the critical role nurses play in the healthcare system, particularly during COVID-19.

Chief Executive of the VHA, Tom Symondson, added to the chorus of Victorians celebrating the work of these frontline heroes and highlighted their role in the response to COVID-19.

‘Nurses play a unique and critical role in our healthcare system, delivering life-saving care in our hospitals as well as supporting people in their homes and communities,’ Mr Symondson says.

‘The outpouring of support on International Nurses Day this year was a clear recognition that the role of nurses in our healthcare system is more important than ever’.

State and Commonwealth Health Ministers added their praise for nursing professionals, with Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos singling out nurses during her statement to the parliamentary hearing about the Government’s response to COVID-19.

Earlier in the day the Minister posted on Twitter: ‘On #InternationalNursesDay I say thank you to all VIC nurses for your compassion & care to your patients, for your support to your colleagues & for your selfless dedication to fighting this pandemic’.

Not all heroes 🦸‍♀️ 🦸‍♂️ wear capes but many of them wear scrubs 👩🏼‍⚕️👨🏻‍⚕️
On #InternationalNursesDay I say thank you to all VIC nurses for your compassion & care to your patients, for your support to your colleagues & for your selfless dedication to fighting this pandemic #springst pic.twitter.com/JRxXabII8E

— Jenny Mikakos MP #StayHomeSaveLives (@JennyMikakos) May 11, 2020

Commonwealth Minister for Health, Greg Hunt said: ‘Today is a day when all Australians should stand as one and applaud our amazing nurses’.

VHA members across the state used the day to celebrate the hundreds of thousands of nurses who help keep Australians safe and healthy every day.

On #InternationalNursesDay, we honour the 1,000 nurses working at the Women's, and the 20 million around the world.

These are just a handful of the nurses that go above and beyond for the women and babies we care for – thank you for everything you do! pic.twitter.com/S36gv8OoHV

— The Royal Women’s Hospital (@thewomens) May 12, 2020

Celebrating all of our wonderful nurses today on International Nurses Day.
We value the care you give.
We value the skills you have.
We value your kindness.#nursesareangelsincomfortableshoes #internationalnursesday #IND2020 pic.twitter.com/PE9FSrpZZN

— Eye and Ear Hospital (@EyeandEarHosp) May 12, 2020

Today, we are recognising the valuable work of our nurses, and the nurses across Australia 👏👏 #InternationalNursesDay

— Merri Health (@MerriHealth) May 12, 2020

We've had a great week celebrating our nurses and midwives, thanks to everyone for their contributions! #InternationalNursesDay pic.twitter.com/bXwDarppvh

— Eastern Health (@easternhealthau) May 12, 2020

From emergency departments to aged care facilities, operating theatres to people’s homes, nurses work tirelessly across Victoria every single day, supporting the community and helping to make our health system one of the best in the world.

This year, the annual event coincided with the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale.