Tomorrow’s International Nurses Day will see New Zealand nurses campaigning for increased access and equity in health.
The annual event is held on the birthday of Florence Nightingale, May 12.
New Zealand Nurses Organisation president Nano Tunnicliff is concerned about the links between poverty and ill health.
“Nurses have a professional and ethical responsibility to address health inequities and NZNO believes closing the gaps must be a priority for nursing practice, nursing education and nursing research,” she said.
“While International Nurses Day is a time to celebrate the nursing profession, there seems little to celebrate when 25 percent of New Zealand children live in poverty and when Maori and Pacific people suffered considerably poorer health than other New Zealanders.”
Ms Tunnicliff said her profession would be better placed to have an impact on health inequities changes to the way nurses work.
"When we achieve the professional autonomy and legislative environment to enable us to work to our full potential, we will be able to improve health access and equity greatly.”
International Nurses Day is marked in a variety of ways around the country, including award ceremonies for outstanding nurses at many district health boards, the launch of a nursing history book in Christchurch, and a humorous debate between nurses and managers comparing Nelson Marlborough District Health Board to Shortland Street.
3 News