This Monday, May 12, we celebrate International Nurses Day, a time to acknowledge the incredible contribution nurses make to healthcare every single day. This year’s theme, ‘Our Nurses. Our Future. Caring for nurses strengthens economies,’ reminds us that when we invest in the wellbeing of nurses, we’re also strengthening the entire health system—and society as a whole.
At Ormiston Hospital and Healthcare, we’re proud to stand behind our nursing team, not just on International Nurses Day, but every day. Supporting their physical, mental, and emotional health is a cornerstone of the care we deliver as an organisation.
How Our Nurses Stay Well
We asked some of our nursing team how they maintain their own health and wellbeing while navigating the demanding nature of their roles.
“For me, staying healthy means making time to rest properly after shifts, eating nutritious meals, and staying active – even if it’s just a walk with the dog. Mentally, I try to stay grounded by practicing mindfulness and checking in regularly with colleagues and friends.”
“Nursing can be emotionally intense. Talking with peers who understand what you’re going through is incredibly helpful. We support each other, and that’s a huge part of staying resilient.”
At Ormiston, we prioritise the wellbeing of our nursing staff through a range of initiatives and resources:
- A commitment to helping staff maintain work-life balance
- Access to CHNLL, the mental health and wellbeing app
- Wellbeing workshops such as the ones hosted by CHNNL during Health & Safety Week recently
- Regular recognition events to celebrate the contributions and achievements of our staff
- A strong culture of peer support and open communication
We recognise that when nurses are supported to thrive, the entire healthcare system benefits.
Creating a Culture of Wellness at Ormiston
At Ormiston Hospital and Healthcare we aim to foster a supportive community. We actively promote health and wellbeing through staff initiatives and celebrations that bring people together. One of our nurses Lauren highlighted this spirit beautifully:
“I think what I love most is that Ormiston are always advertising and encouraging staff to get involved in group activities, such as ‘Round the Bays’ and ‘Move your butt for bowel cancer.’ I was part of the team that did the 100km walk over February to raise money for bowel cancer – it was cool to be part of a team while doing it! They also celebrate special days like Matariki, Anaesthetic Tech Day, World Hand Hygiene Day and Easter. There’s always something to get involved in or celebrate!”
We hope that these shared experiences strengthen our team, boost moral and create a real sense of belonging.
Recognition That Matters
We know that small gestures of appreciation can have a big impact. Another nurse shared how meaningful it was to be recognised for their passion:
“I recently got a quarterly award for showing ‘Passion in our People.’ It was really awesome to feel you are being awarded for your work! I always love a big long chat with my patients to get to know them more, and love building strong relationships with my colleagues. So it was really special to feel like that is recognised!”
Recognition programs like this ensure that nurses know their dedication and compassion are not just seen – but celebrated.
On this International Nurses Day, we extend our deepest thanks to the nursing team at Ormiston and around the world. Your care, resilience, and humanity are what keep healthcare systems running and communities healthy.
To all our nurses – thank you. We see you. We support you. And we are proud to celebrate you.