International Nurses Week Celebrations

The 6th to 12th of May marked International Nurses Week, and the RHN organised a programme of daily events to celebrate its nurses and their incredible work in caring for all our patients and residents.

Bank Holiday Monday kicked off the week with a nursing-themed Olympic Games held onsite, inviting all staff to attend and participate. There was also a selection of ward-based activities that brought plenty of laughs into the otherwise quiet building on Bank Holiday Monday.

On Tuesday, all staff were invited to the Assembly Room for the official commencement of the week. The event featured a welcome and introduction from the Matrons, an interactive display for staff, patients, and visitors to share their photos and messages of positivity and gratitude to our fantastic healthcare staff. Additionally, we observed the traditional ‘blessing of the hands’, a symbolic gesture believed to have been initiated by Florence Nightingale in the 1800s, reminding nurses to deliver compassionate care at all times.

On the fourth day of events, a potluck food party was held in the De Lancey Lowe Room, opened by Paul Allen, CEO, where staff presented international cuisine dishes representing their diverse backgrounds to share with their colleagues. Each ward created their own banners depicting what nursing meant to them, including tributes to their roles, the diversity of their teams, and the experiences shared on the wards.

The celebrations continued on Friday with ‘Nursing’s Got Talent’, a fun and friendly showcase of staff talents. The event featured singing, dancing, and musical performances, which were thoroughly enjoyed by staff, patients, residents, and their families.

Sunday officially marked International Nurses Day, held annually on Florence Nightingale’s birthday.

We hope all our nurses, patients, and families enjoyed the celebrations.