Your work changes lives. Never doubt your power.
International Nurses Day 2025:
“Our Nurses. Our Future. Caring for Nurses Strengthens Economies”
Introduction: Lighting the Path Forward
Florence Nightingale once said, ‘Nursing is an art, and if it is to be made an art, it requires an exclusive devotion as hard a preparation as any painter’s or sculptor’s
work.”
As we celebrate International Nurses Day 2025, these words ring truer than ever. Nurses are far more than healthcare providers- they are innovators, advocates, and the steadfast guardians of global well-being. Today, we honour their unwavering commitment to bridging gaps in care, driving medical advancements, and championing health equity in a world that needs healing now more than ever.
This year, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) has chosen a transformative theme: “Our Nurses. Our Future. Caring for
Nurses Strengthen Economies.” This powerful call to action underscores the economic and societal value of nursing while demanding urgent investment in nurses’ well-being and leadership opportunities.
Key messages :
Economic Value of Nursing – Investing in nurses leads to stronger healthcare systems and more resilient economies.
Support and Well-being – Nurses need safe working conditions and mental health support to sustain the workforce.
Policy Advocacy – Governments and institutions must prioritise nursing education and leadership opportunities.
Why Nurses Are the Backbone of Economies
1. Healthy Populations Drive Growth: Nurses are the frontline defenders of public health. Through preventive care, chronic Disease management and emergency response reduce long-term healthcare costs are reduced and keep communities productive.
2. Nursing Fuels Job Creation: The profession employs millions worldwide, uplifting local economies and empowering both men and women.
3. Burnout Has a Price Tag: Nurses play a crucial role in addressing burnout, both in themselves and their colleagues.
4. Nurses Shape the Future of Healthcare: From policymaking to AI-driven care innovations, nurses are critical to designing
efficient, equitable systems. Their voices must be amplified in leadership roles.
Honouring the Heart of Healthcare
This May 12, 2025, we celebrate nurses not just for their skills, but for their courage, compassion, and irreplaceable role in
shaping our future.
To every nurse: You are the glue holding health systems together–the calm in chaos, the light in darkness. Your work changes lives, and your dedication fuels progress.
Mr. Deena Naidoo,
Group Chief Nursing Officer
