The ‘economic power of care’ will be the theme for this year’s International Nurses Day (IND) on 12 May.
The International Council of Nurses (ICN), which chooses the theme for IND each year, said the aim was to ‘reshape perceptions and demonstrate how strategic investment in nursing can bring considerable economic and societal benefits’.
A special report on the economic power of care will be released by the ICN on 12 May to mark IND, which is celebrated on the birthday of Florence Nightingale.
Dr Pamela Cipriano, the council’s president, called for a ‘shift in perspective’ of nursing.
She said: ’We have seen time and again how financial crises often lead to budgetary restrictions in health care, typically at the expense of nursing services.
‘This reductionist approach overlooks the substantial and often underemphasised economic value that nursing contributes to health care and society as a whole.’
Dr Cipriano added that policymakers, healthcare administrators and even the general public were often ‘unaware or misinformed’ about the return on investment that adequate funding in nursing can provide.
‘Drawing from the lessons learned from the Covid-19 pandemic and recognising the increasing threat to the health of populations around the world due to conflicts, the climate crisis and financial instability, we believe the time is right to advocate for a shift in perspective and policy,’ she said.
