Nurses and children – a natural link

The month of May is observed annually as “Child Month” with the emphasis being on securing and improving the welfare of our children. Whether by coincidence or not, within this month we also mark “Nurses Week”. A better combination could not be found because there is an intrinsic link between the role of nurses and the care and attention meted out to our children.

Indeed, it is important to observe that the connection between nurses and the care of children is strikingly brought out in the theme for Nurses Week this year: “The economic power of care”. This hinges to a great deal not only on the expected parental care but also on the care provided by nurses, beginning at the cradle. That care beginning with pregnancy and continuing right through infancy and puberty plays a crucial role in the development of the child and the economic and social contribution that the young ones make as adults.

It is a lifetime bond too lightly regarded in our society, which is crucial not only to the welfare and development of the child, but in turn to the economic well-being and social health of the entire society. That value is seldom calculated so no wonder it is taken for granted. Thus, in turn, is the contribution of nurses not adequately appreciated. Indeed, rather than appreciation, nurses often suffer much verbal abuse in the course of their duties, becoming as we say colloquially, our “washpot”.

Nurses should not have to ask us to, during this week, express our appreciation for their invaluable services, for where would we, and the society be without them? That appreciation should be a natural one for all of us, at some stage of our lives, owe gratitude to the love and care of one nurse or another.

On the occasion of Nurses Week, SEARCHLIGHT not only offers its full support, but we also urge our readers to do the same. Nursing is one of those thankless occupations which we seem only to remember when something goes wrong, ignoring the million and one occasions where nursing care has made such valuable contributions, in the hospital, at clinics and even in our own homes. Let us never forget or neglect to appreciate.

At the same time, in these days of gender sensitivity, it is important that we also recognize the contribution of male nurses. Male nursing has traditionally not been suitably recognized in our society. Indeed, the sparse presence of males in the nursing profession can be attributed to the negative outlook of the society as a whole and of men in particular. It takes a brave man to make such a choice in societies like ours. It is time that we make a concerted effort to correct this negative thinking. There is perhaps no better time than during Nurses Week.