International Nurses Day - 12 May

Nurses ‘the backbone' of our society

The nursing profession is the ‘backbone' of our society; our communities
greatly rely on our nurses and could never function properly without them.
Nurses give hope to the sick and injured in our hospitals and clinics throughout our country.
Their work often goes unacknowledged, but they nevertheless
dedicate themselves to the service of South Africa's people.

This international Nurses Day, 12 May 2010 - the Government Employees Medical Scheme  (GEMS) pays tribute to the nurses working hospitals and clinics throughout South Africa for the commitment they show and the hard work they put into taking care of their fellow human beings.

Former President Nelson Mandela once spoke of the great "dignity of the nursing profession".
He was as usual, one hundred percent correct. To become a nurse requires a great deal of commitment, passion and dedication. Nursing demands that you give a lot more of yourself than with most other professions. It is a demanding occupation with many nurses required to work at any time of the day or night and on weekends most other people are able to spend time with their loved ones. They have to deal with sick, vulnerable individuals some of whom can be difficult and demanding. Nurses often have to support families and bring up their own children while working very long hours.

In South Africa where we are faced with a tremendous disease burden and high population growth there is unfortunately a growing shortage of nurses entering the profession. This is making the work of our nurses even more demanding. It also means that their services are very valuable to our country.

While it is true that nursing is a very demanding job, it is also an extremely rewarding one for those who have the right kind of personality for it. Those who are prepared to dedicate their life in the service of others will find nursing both gratifying and spiritually uplifting. Previously, nursing was considered a job with few growth prospects. Today, however, it is possible to build a fine career in the profession. Nurses can specialise in a variety of health disciplines and therefore become highly specialised and sought after. Many nurses also move on to high-ranking administrative jobs within the healthcare profession.

This year's Nurses Day is particularly special as it also the 100th birthday of the ‘mother of nursing', Florence Nightingale. Florence Nightingale won fame for her pioneering work in nursing. She set up a nursing school in London in 1860 and laid the foundation for professional nursing the world over. International Nurses Day is celebrated each year on her birthday.

South Africa is greatly beholden to its nurses.  Highly skilled and caring, they fulfil a number of different roles and functions at our medical facilities.  They often work under the most difficult of conditions and their role in society is not widely recognised. Nurses help to hold together the very fabric of South Africa's society and deserve so much more acknowledgement and recognition than they currently receive. Thank you to all our nurses for your devotion and dedication - we at GEMS truly appreciate you!

If you have any questions regarding GEMS and its services, you can phone the GEMS call centre on 0860 00 4367 or send a SMS to 083 450 4367. GEMS will assist you in every way possible to ensure your families health and well-being.

Martina Nicholson Associates