Director of the European University of Lefke (EUL) Health School Prof. Dr. Deniz Şelimen made a statement on the occasion of “12 May Nurses Day”.

“May 12, which is celebrated as nurses’ day all over the world, is the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, and is considered an annual celebration of the services that nurses all over the world provide for their communities,” Şelimen said, “If we want to make a definition; Nursing is not only a profession with a theoretical content based on science and art, but also a health discipline that includes practice. We know that Humans need health care in any part of their life span from birth to death. Since people’s having different values, cultures and backgrounds make them privileged from other individuals, care should be applied by taking these individual characteristics into consideration. “It is the most basic responsibility of nursing to provide this privileged care and assistance to the individual in the most adequate way.”

Şelimen said, “The global COVID-19 epidemic, which emerged in 2020 and affects humanity profoundly in terms of economy, psychosocial and overall quality of life, has clearly demonstrated to the world the important role nurses play in keeping people healthy for life,” he continued his words as follows. ;

While the “COVID-19 Pandemic” reveals the fragile points in the health systems of countries on the one hand, it also sheds light on the incredible commitment and courage of nurses to serve human life despite the physiological, psychological, economic and technological difficulties they face in their work environments.

While many nurses and healthcare professionals served cansiparen in the fight against the epidemic, they tried to live in isolation to protect their families and loved ones. They made extraordinary efforts to save people when they were anxious to catch the virus and infect others. They demonstrated the ability and flexibility to adapt and cope with the situation. Nurses are the occupational group that always and especially during this pandemic process, working with patients who require intensive care for the longest and closest contact. However, the World Nurses Association, ICN, is concerned that a serious nurse shortage may occur after the pandemic due to the current insufficiency in the number of nurses, the aging of nurses and the increase of the impact of Covid-19. Warning that there may be massive departures in the near future due to the trauma of an intense and heavy workload of almost 24 hours, ICN is already warning governments to take action and improve the conditions of nurses.

“In this context, considering the conscientious responsibilities and duties imposed on nurses and other healthcare professionals in the COVID-19 outbreak since last year; I would like to emphasize the importance of focusing more on the problems of nurses serving on the front line around the world, supporting their education and post-graduate education needs with more planned and comprehensive programs starting from their student years, and making the necessary arrangements for their personal rights. “It is a profession that focuses on the care of individuals, families and communities so that we can achieve, maintain or restore optimal health and quality of life today and in the future.”

Nursing is a profession that focuses on the care of individuals, families and communities within the scope of health workforce.

Şelimen said, “Nurses, who are members of a health discipline that has the opportunity to develop their postgraduate education in different fields of specialization, are aware of their duty to protect and improve health in the society and to provide quality care in case of illness; They work actively in hospital, education, protective services, work and school health, industry and innovative studies. I think it is time to ask the question of how much of the care and respect the nursing profession deserves in the society, which provides service to society in such a wide range of healthcare fields ”.

Finally, Şelimen said, “Nursing is a sensitive art of care: nurse sees with her mind, feels with her heart, makes her live with her love and knowledge. I congratulate all nurses and our students who will be the assurance of our health in the future, ” she said.