#InternationalNursesDay: Reasons why we should show gratitude to nurses

Being a nurse needs a lot of commitment and dedication to the job, and that's one reason why not everyone is capable of taking up the profession althouhg it's one of the most demanding careers in the world.

New Delhi: Nurses play an inherent role in the healthcare system. Without these wonderful people who are considered as the 'heart of the healthcare', the world wouldn't have been as pleasant as today.

Perhaps, without nurses who have deep practical knowledge of delivering best services to patients, the healthcare system would have collapsed in its foothills.

Unfortunately, many people do not recognise the role and responsibilities of nurses who put your needs before their own. Others see them as a doctor's assistant.

On the contrary, they juggle various roles - from acting as a caregiver to a patient advocate among others.

Being a nurse needs a lot of commitment and dedication to the job, and that's one reason why not everyone is capable of taking up the profession although it's one of the most demanding careers in the world.

Here are some reasons why we should thank them, who care and help each and every patient that walks through the hospital door:

• As a caregiver, patient can rely on a nurse who provides hands-on care to patients, depending on their unique needs. This includes a wide range from helping a patient with illness prevention to total care.
• Nurses are the ones who actually watch over you and your vital signs, including allergies and drug interactions, to make sure that the medication is appropriate and safe.
• Your nurse act as a teacher, helping you learn about your health, medications, treatments, and procedures. Your nurse also helps you deal with challenges that you may face during and after illness.
• Being a patient advocate is one of the most important and significant roles that nurses play in healthcare. This may include from protecting a patient's rights to helping them make appropriate, best decisions even when very sick.

To pay tribute to the amazing nurses across the world for their selfless, outstanding service, May 12 is observed as International Nurses Day each year. The day also marks the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale - an English social reformer and statistician, and the founder of modern nursing. On this day, the International Council of Nurses celebrates this event, aiming to increase the public awareness about the nursing and nurses contribution towards the healthcare innovation.