Investing in Nursing is Important Due to the Increase in Pandemics All Over the World
Prof. Dr. Hatice Sütçü, the Chair of Nursing Department of Cyprus International University (CIU) School of Health Sciences, stated that the inadequacies of health systems caused disruptions in treatment and care services during the most recent pandemic, and noted that investing in nursing, creating a highly qualified nursing workforce and improving the rights of nurse are essential in successfully managing potential health problems in the future.
Stating that political decision makers, national and international professional organizations and educational institutions should work together in order to implement improvements and regulations in this regard, Sütçü said, “The elderly population is constantly increasing and the risk of epidemic diseases are on the rise today. For this reason, it is the responsibility of all stakeholders to meet the need for qualified nurses who will protect, improve and provide care for these people.”
Prof. Dr. Sütçü, speaking on the occasion of May 12th International Nurses Day, said, “The International Nurses Day celebrations are held on May 12th which is the anniversary of Florence Nightingale's birthday, and is celebrated every year based on a different theme. The theme for this year is “Nurses: A Voice to Lead - Invest in Nursing and respect rights to secure global health.”
This theme focuses on the need to protect, support and invest in the nursing profession to strengthen health systems around the world. Sütçü said, "It is important to provide sufficient and competent graduates by using up-to-date information and advanced technologies in nursing undergraduate education as the first step to quality nursing care.”
Speaking about the improvements and regulations that can be made in the nursing profession, Sütçü said, " Policies should be developed to make professional competency exams a prerequisite to practice the profession, to offer widespread certificate and specialization trainings, to offer incentive pay, to improve working conditions, to ensure professional organizations safeguard the personal rights and to develop policies for their legal framework”.