On 12th May, Nightingale’s birthday, we celebrate International Nurses Day. This year the focus will be on innovation and the shape of healthcare in the future.
Nurses were once regarded as uneducated individuals who were ignorant of science. However, in 1859, Florence Nightingale published ‘Notes on Nursing: What it is and What it is Not,’ challenging this inaccurate viewpoint of the time. She then went on to establish the first professional nursing school at St Thomas Hospital, London with a lasting legacy. This allowed nurses to shine as extraordinary individuals; the epitome of courage, care and commitment to their patients every single day.
We must remember the professions history in celebration of nurses’ successes, as well as the hardships they have faced from factors such as conflict and a global pandemic. We must also learn from our experiences to enable future success; shown by nurses’ vital contribution to the COVID-19 pandemic, from Covid testing, to critical care and vaccination.
"I thank them for their unwavering compassion tireless professionalism, and clinical excellence - at home and around the world. RAF nurses have stood shoulder to shoulder with our amazing NHS colleagues, and we are proud of the strong bonds that have developed. On International Nurses day, to all nurses everywhere, thank you.”
Group Captain Bradley
Following are some words from just a few of our incredible RAF Nurses.
Flight Sergeant Andrews
Flight Sergeant Andrews wanted to become a critical care nurse in the RAF to help those who need it most. His work has returned the sickest service personnel back to the UK from all over the world ensuring they receive the highest standard of care and be with their families.
“The feeling and satisfaction of successfully and safely retrieving a critically injured patient from abroad back to the UK is immeasurable.”
Flight Sergeant Andrews
Flight Sergeant Chambers
Flight Sergeant Chambers has been a registered nurse for 16 years, 11 of which as a Clinical educator in critical care. She currently delivers a socially distanced virtual critical care course, Postgraduate Learning and Teaching in Higher Education.
“The future of nursing relies on an educated workforce providing safe and effective care. With the acuity of patients in secondary healthcare increasing, care provision from competent and skilled professionals is proven to positively impact morbidity and mortality rates.”
Flight Sergeant Chambers
Flight Sergeant Matheson
Flight Sergeant Matheson is a Florence Nightingale Foundation (FNF) Educator, managing scholarships and programmes in the future strategic and operational development of the FNF Academy. This provides opportunities for personnel who may have been overlooked for development or who are underrepresented across the healthcare setting.
Matheson also facilitates sessions for Nightingale Frontline, which started at the beginning of the Pandemic to provide a psychologically safe space for nurses and midwives to explore leadership challenges, issues or concerns.
“We all have the capability to have an impact on developing others and by taking the time to do this, we will benefit not only our colleagues and peers but our patients and wider community.”
Flight Sergeant Matheson
Senior Aircraftman Wright
Senior Aircraftman Wright is currently in his second year studying nursing at Department of Healthcare Education, having transferred from the RAF Regiment; on reflection from an Operation HERRICK deployment where he was employed as the team medic, he said:
“As well as looking out for the troops, we could also help the locals, offering even the most basic of treatment to the local population has a huge impact on hearts and minds and how we as a force are perceived."
Senior Aircraftman Wright
Corporal Faisal
Corporal Faisal moved from India in 2011 to work as a nurse in the Emergency Department. He later joined the RAF in August 2019 seeking new adventures, challenges, and training opportunities the Military offers. During the Pandemic, Faisal helped ease the pressure on wards by working across different departments, such as Surgical, Medical, Respiratory and Vaccination Clinics.
“International Nurses Day is recognition and approval of the quality work that I complete on a day to day basis. I am proud to wear my Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service badge as my badge of honour for our cadre.”
Corporal Faisal
SAC Fitchett
SAC Fitchett transferred from her role of Intelligence Analyst into nursing.
“Whilst intelligence was interesting, I wanted to work more with and help people on a more personal level but also wanted to stay in the RAF because ultimately I would like to be part of the Tactical Medical Wing.”
SAC Fitchett
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Squadron Leader Green
Squadron Leader Green specialised in Trauma and Orthopaedics, seeing him travel across the world as a Nurse. He now works under the Tactical Medical Wing at RAF Brize Norton, the home of the RAF’s deployed medical capabilities, whose Aeromedical Evacuation service have continued to deliver innovative care in the air throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
On this International Nurses Day 21 let us celebrate our incredible RAF Nurses, especially after a difficult year. Their commitment, strength, perseverance, and professional excellence has saved many and shaped the future of healthcare.