Nurses deserve far more recognition than they typically receive. Their work is both physically and emotionally demanding, yet they are the backbone of our healthcare system,” says Mary Ann Nabbie, Netcare’s group director of nursing, ahead of International Nurses Day, celebrated on May 12, with the theme: ‘Our nurses. Our future. Empowered nurses save lives.’

The personal dedication and responsibility that define a career in nursing deserve appreciation and respect every day of the year.

“Nursing transcends being just a job; it demands an ethical compass that always points towards doing what is right for others,” says Mary Ann Nabble, Netcare’s group director of nursing.

Nabble highlighted that it takes exceptional character to provide continuous care and to consistently advocate for your patients. “Within the Netcare Group, we are grateful each day for the passionate, caring nursing professionals at all levels who form the backbone of healthcare.”

According to Nabbie, the intergenerational nursing workforce strengthens healthcare teams. “We see young, vibrant nurses and seasoned professionals learning from each other, combining fresh perspectives with deep experience to deliver the best and safest standards of care in today’s technologically driven healthcare setting,” she says.

“Nursing means reaching out with both skill and heart, empathising with and comforting another human being and their loved ones during some of their most vulnerable moments. To give compassionately, nurses must also nurture themselves.”

The responsibility nurses carry for human lives requires them to place patients at the very centre of everything they do.

“Particularly in the context of the societal challenges facing our country, our work must have purpose. Choosing the path of nursing and making a real difference in the lives of others is something extraordinary,” Nabbie says.

“Too often, nurses’ countless acts of caring, both seen and unseen, are not acknowledged to the extent that they should be.”