International Nurses Day returns this year at a time when these frontline healthcare workers have played a crucial role in saving lives in a global pandemic.
Why do we celebrate International Nurses Day?
Sisters are the heartbeat of any hospital, from taking in new patients to lending a hand in trauma units. Nurses have been tasked with holding the frontlines of this war against an unseen enemy that’s pillaged millions of lives and on this day, the world commemorates their invaluable contributions.
This observance was launched in 1965, in memory of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern-day nursing. To immortalise her pioneering work, International Nurses Day is celebrated on her birthday every year on this day.
Mzansi celebrates our frontline workers
Social media has been abuzz with heartfelt messages to nurses, the bedrock of our livelihoods in this horrid pandemic. Here are some of the reactions we picked out:
Happy #nursesday2021
— Hi5 (@giveaHi5) May 12, 2021
May all the care & kindness you give to others come back to your warm heart❤️ #KindnessMatters #NursesWeek2021 #NursesDay #wednesdaythought #InternationalNursesDay pic.twitter.com/HTkv2PcGIy
If it wasn't for what you do, I wouldn't be able to do what I do for a living so thank you very much the ever courageous work and effort you put in every day in order to save lives is much appreciated keep up the good work #InternationalNursesDay pic.twitter.com/LJ45VqRB3Z
— Bulelani (@bujalingo_) May 12, 2021
Hands that turn caring into action. Touch that turns compassion into comfort. Smiles that turn love into healing. This is the art of nursing.
— @LindyLehto (@LindyLehto) May 12, 2021
Happy #InternationalNursesDay to our heroes who work tirelessly to help us heal. Your empathy, kindness & humanity is beyond all praise! pic.twitter.com/ax1jlnS4Wr
COVID has made the work of nurses much harder and even more crucial. They give emotional comfort to patients as loved ones can’t visit them. Nurses have also often had to cut themselves off from their families to protect them in case of COVID. True heroes #InternationalNursesDay
— Dan Corder 5FM (@DanCorderOnAir) May 12, 2021
