International
Nursing Day is celebrated differently in different countries. In some countries of the world, it begins to be celebrated at the beginning of May, for example, in the USA, where professional conferences and celebrations begin on May 6. In other countries there is no strictly allocated day for this celebration, however, it is mainly celebrated on May 12. The idea of the holiday was first voiced in 1953, however, the first time the day of the nurse was celebrated as much as 12 years later. May 12 is the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of the charity service during the Crimean War. It was this woman who became the culprit of the triumph.
A bit of history ...
Florence Nightingale was an English aristocrat who received an education accessible only to men. The terrible events of the Crimean War deeply touched Florence, and she decided to use her extraordinary abilities for the good. Since the wounded soldiers needed constant care, the woman gathered a group of orderlies who went to the Crimean field hospitals. Although surgeons were skeptical of this venture, the woman did not stop at anything.
Even before the war, Florence spoke about her desire to create her own sister community, showing great interest in caring for sick people. Nightingale wanted to change the stereotype of female caregivers, who were usually either drunkards or easy-going girls.
During the war, the nurse increased the number of wards in hospitals so that the wounded were not so crowded and more comfortable. She went around them even at night, every day. The nurses and nurses who worked with her also worked tirelessly. Grateful wounded soldiers always spoke very warmly about the woman who helped them survive. According to available data, mortality during the war was reduced by tens of times! In addition to the usual medical care, Nightingale organized laundries and kitchens, created reading rooms and helped write letters to relatives. Before leaving home, the nurse put a white marble cross to all medical workers who died in the Crimean War.
In England, Florence Nightingale became the main army nurse. All medical personnel underwent special training. Why is nurse 's day celebrated on Florence’s birthday? Thanks to her, medicine began to take disease prevention more seriously, and if earlier it was in the hands of surgeons, then since then nurses have gained new rights and recognition. Florence was the first medical professional to describe the effects of the environment on health, laying the foundation for ecology. In Florence, a monument to Florence Nightingale is erected. In addition, the highest award given annually to nurses around the world for more than one hundred years is also named after this woman. The award is presented annually on Nursing Day, May 12th.
Today, many believe that the nurse does not play a very important role, and the qualifications of such employees are called into question. In fact, this opinion is erroneous. In the world there are a huge number of different organizations that are engaged in research and improvement of nursing. Currently, nurses are trained in many educational institutions, and not in vain, because a nurse is a person to whom patients owe health and life. At various hospitals around the world, staff members celebrate Nursing Day with joy and pleasure. At the same time, the
holiday scenario can take many forms, from conferences and meetings to outdoor recreation or traveling abroad.