GCU is “immensely proud of our nursing staff and students”

Scotland’s Chief Nursing Officer Amanda Croft marked International Nurses Day today (May 12) with a heartfelt video message to our student nurses thanking them for their contribution during the COVID-19 pandemic.

She said: “The last year has been the most difficult on record and without your commitment, dedication and support, so many people in Scotland may have had a different experience. I want to also say congratulations to you all for handling the demands of educational practice during these complex times.

“Being part of the pandemic response has meant that students have had greater exposure to the development and skills, and leadership than in normal times and the result of that learning means you will come out stronger on the other side.”

The theme for International Nurses Day this year is ‘Nurses: A voice to lead - a vision for future healthcare’ and GCU’s Acting Dean Professor Anita Simmers said the COVID-19 pandemic has “brought into sharp focus the important role of frontline healthcare workers in saving lives”.

She added: “Nurses are leading the way in our vision for future healthcare that is compassionate, we must learn from the pandemic and harness the innovation and ingenuity in the profession.

“I am so immensely proud of all the nursing staff and students at GCU for their hard work, support, and stability in an ever-changing landscape. Thank you for making a genuinely positive difference – you are a fabulous team!”

Professor Jacqueline McCallum, Head of the Department of Nursing and Community Health, said the UN sustainable development goals includes quality education (SDG4) which “stands at the heart of nursing both for initial registration and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for the future as it can lead to improved patient care and patient outcomes”.

She added: “Nurse education can improve health and quality of lives for the society that we live in by improving nursing leadership skills for the future to advance nursing practice. We at GCU help to do this for the Common Good through our undergraduate pre-registration nursing, master and doctorate programmes.”

Helena Kelly, Learning and Teaching advisor in the Department, said nurse leaders can shape the future of the nursing profession by leading with inspiration, vision and integrity through role modelling the values of the healthcare system they work within.

“Preparing nurse leaders for the future is essential to sustain the profession and provide safe and effective healthcare within the future.  All nurses have a voice, let’s work together to make it stronger,” she added.

Read all about final year MSc Nursing Studies Adult (Pre-registration) student Jen Blake's bid to raise awareness within her profession of the dangers of climate change and benefits of sustainability here on GCU Student News.