Nurses: A Voice to Lead. A Vision for Future Healthcare

Dr Sentinaro Ao
Registrar, Nagaland Nursing Council Kohima

International Nurses Day is celebrated around the world on May 12, the anniversary of Florence Nightingale's birth. ICN commemorates this important day each year by choosing a theme and producing IND resources and evidence. The International Council of Nurses (ICN) announces International Nurses Day theme for 2021.

Nurses: A Voice to Lead. A Vision for Future Healthcare.

“This global COVID-19 pandemic has shown the world the important role that nurses play in keeping people healthy across the lifespan,” said Annette Kennedy, ICN President. “While there has been significant disruption to healthcare, there has also been significant innovation that has improved access to care. The year 2021, focuses on the changes to and innovations in nursing and how this will ultimately shape the future of healthcare.”

Howard Catton, ICN Chief Executive Officer, added, “The pandemic has exposed the weaknesses in our health systems and the enormous pressures our nurses are working under, as well as shining a light on their incredible commitment and courage. The pandemic has given the nurses an opportunity to call for a reset to explore new models of care where Nurses are at the centre of our health systems. We can only achieve this vision of future healthcare by generating new policies that pave the way for this sea-change and that is another key area IND 2021 will seek to focus.”

The IND 2021 theme reflects on the impact of COVID-19 on the health system and the nursing profession and how these might be affected into the future. Nurses, as the largest healthcare profession, must play an integral part in planning the future of healthcare.

Fact Sheet 1:

International Council of Nurses (ICN) Data set ranged 6 to 10% Health Care Workers (HCW) infection rate up to 30% of all infection. Death among nurses and health care workers due to Corona virus-19 (COVID-19) infections updated:

•    Death nurses in 59 countries was 2,710 till date of 31st January, 2021

•    Mexico Nurses respond 41% of confirmed Healthcare Workers (HCW) Infections.

•    More than 1.6 million Health Workers in 34 countries have been infected by COVID-19 till date of 31st December, 2020.

Fact Sheet 2 - Stress and burnout in the nursing profession:

Close to 80% Mental Health Distress from Nurses working COVID-19 response by International Council of Nurses (ICN) and National Nursing Association (NNA) and National Nursing Association (NNA) reports highlight that causes of Mental Health Distress are Complex.

• Inadequate Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)

• The fear of spreading COVID-19 Virus

•    High Workload

•    Increased Violence

•    High workload

•    Discrimination against Nurses

•    Post Traumatic Stress Symptoms and etc.

International Council of Nurses (ICN) estimated the coronavirus effect would lead to potential short fall up to 13 million Nurses by 2030. In the US 64% of nurses felt overwhelmed and 67% reported difficult in sleeping.

The longer term impact of Covid-19 include Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) could be extremely significant. About 20% of Nurses in Japan reported they had experienced Discrimination or Prejudice amid the spread of the virus.

Fact Sheet 3 - Nurses shortages & retention:

Global Nursing workforce is estimated at 27.8 millions. World was already facing 5.9 million of nurses shortage before COVID-19 pandemic.

International Council of Nurses (ICN) reported close to 90% of this Nursing shortage concentrated in low middle-income countries.

One out of 6 (1/6) of World Nurses are expected to retire in the next 10 years- it means 4.7 million Nurse i.e. New Nurse will have to be educated. International

Council of Nurses (ICN)/National Nurses Association (NNA) (one year into COVID-19 pandemic a recent survey reported) 20% Nurses leaving the profession.

International Council of Nurses (ICN) reported due to COVID-19 significantly increased the rate of Nurses intention to leave the profession. It is estimated about 13 million nurses could be needed to fill the Global shortage and replace the nurses who leave in the next few years.

National Nursing Association (NNA) Reported 90% of nurses increase report rate of intention to leave this field due to:
•    Overdue payment

•    Heavy Workloads

•    Insufficiency resourcing

•    Burnout and stress

Due to COVID-19 effect, this world understands who a Nurse is and what importance is a nurse to the world. In the coming future, the Nurses will determine this world so be Proud to be a Nurse.

On behalf of the Nagaland Nursing Council, wishing all the Nurses of Nagaland a Happy Nurses Day.