Northern Ireland’s “extraordinary” nurses are being asked to “bear with” health bosses as they try to address the incredible pressures they face everyday.
The message, from chief nursing officer Charlotte McArdle, was released in ode to their hard work and professionalism in “particularly challenging times” this International Nurses’ Day.
The Royal College of Nursing NI revealed earlier this month that “unfilled nursing posts” across the north have reached over 2,500, while nurses in England, Scotland and Wales are being paid thousands more for the same role.
But Professor McArdle has urged: “There is hope for the future and things will get better as we work together to transform the Health and Social Care system.
Portrush Medical Centre services to be reduced during The Open this summer
“It will take time to sort out our workforce challenges but there is a plan and we will start to see the benefits of that soon.
“Nursing is, for me, the best profession in the world,” she added.
“It is a dynamic, flexible and respected profession. It learns from its past to inform its future and it shapes itself to meet the needs of the population.
“Though shortages are making working environments particularly challenging, our nurses go the extra mile and do extraordinary things to make sure people are cared for to the best of their ability.
A&E in Northern Ireland: When emergency departments are busiest - and it's not when you expect
“As a nurse, every day is different, you’re pushed to your limits, but you go home knowing you’ve made a difference.”
International Nurses’ Day is celebrated on Florence Nightingale’s birthday (May 12), as the founder of modern nursing
The RCN Northern Ireland is hosting a series of public meetings across Northern Ireland, also this month, about the nursing crisis.
They said on May 1, they “believe there is a link between nursing shortages, cost-saving measures and low pay”.
HIV treatment has changed so much but stigma is still there, says top doctor
Their director Pat Cullen has praised Professor McArdle’s Nurses’ Day message, saying: “The RCN welcomes the Chief Nursing Officer’s leadership and support for nurses and nursing in Northern Ireland, and her sincere and honest acknowledgement of the significant challenges that currently exist within the nursing workforce here.
“We will continue to work in partnership with the Chief Nursing Officer and her colleagues in order to seek to address the concerns expressed by RCN members in relation to these challenges, particularly in relation to staffing, service transformation and pay.”
Breast cancer cuts will hit those "most likely to die" from the disease hardest
Prof McArdle went on to say nurses will soon see “the fruits” of investment in nurse training.
She added: “We’ve been investing heavily in undergraduate nurse training places and this year we’ll see the first cohort of those additional places go on to the register.
Nurse reveals how stress of job made her 'want to die' but ultimately helped her want to live again
“Next year we will see that increase, and the following year it will increase again. So we’re starting to see the fruits of our investment, which I hope will give optimism to those trying to deliver care across our settings.”
She added: “I am extremely proud of our nurses whether working in the community, nursing homes, independent sector or within our hospitals.
“You are doing an amazing job and I personally value the huge contribution nurses make to care and our society.
“Nurses are holders of hope, champions of change, the voice of the vulnerable and you do amazing things every day. Happy International Nurses day.”
Lisburn youngsters take on acts of kindness across city
Remaining RCN Events:
Tuesday 14 May: Signal Centre, Bangor
Wednesday 15 May: Guildhall, Derry
Thursday 16 May: Europa Hotel, Belfast
