Celebrating International Nurses Day 2026
This week at Ormiston Hospital we’ve been celebrating International Nurses Day 2026, taking the opportunity to recognise the incredible nurses who make such a difference across our hospital every single day.
From ward to theatre, endoscopy and everywhere in between, our nurses are at the heart of the patient experience. They’re often the calm in the chaos, the reassuring voice before surgery, the friendly face during recovery and the people patients remember long after they leave our care.
Celebrated annually on 12 May – the birthday of Florence Nightingale, founder of modern nursing – International Nurses Day is all about recognising the skill, compassion and commitment nurses bring to healthcare every day. Florence’s dedication to evidence-gathering and respectability came with a desire to tackle suffering and inequality. “For Nightingale, compassion built upon science took care to a new level.” This year’s theme, “Empowered Nurses Change Lives,” could not feel more fitting.
Nursing is the heart of Ormiston Hospital
61% of the Ormiston Hospital team are nurses, which says a lot about just how central nursing is to who we are and what we do. Across the ward, theatre, endoscopy and beyond, our nurses help shape the patient experience every day – not just through their clinical skill (of which there is a lot), but through the care, reassurance and kindness they bring to each interaction.
Of course, no celebration is complete without food. Brownies were shared and the team were treated to some custom “You Rock” mugs to say thank you for everything they do.
Something we’re especially proud of at Ormiston is the opportunities available for career growth and development within our teams. Nursing leadership plays a huge role across the organisation, and five members of our leadership team – including our CEO – originally came from nursing backgrounds. It’s a reflection of just how valuable clinical experience, empathy and patient-centred thinking are in shaping the future of healthcare.
The difference nurses make
Feedback like this is such a great reminder of the impact nurses have every single day, often through the small moments that matter most.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the nursing staff at Ormiston Hospital for the outstanding care I received during my recent surgery. Every member of the team demonstrated a high level of professionalism, ensuring that I felt safe and well-informed throughout the entire process.
What stood out most was their genuine compassion and patience. They took the time to listen, answer questions, and provide reassurance when it was needed most. Their calm and supportive approach made a significant difference to my experience and recovery.
I am incredibly thankful for the kindness and dedication shown by the nursing staff. Their commitment to patient care is truly commendable, and I could not have asked for better support during such an important time.
Thank you
We know nursing is not always easy. It takes resilience, teamwork, heart and an enormous amount of dedication. That’s why International Nurses Day is such an important opportunity to pause and celebrate the people behind the scrubs.
To all of our nursing staff, thank you. For the care you provide, the support you give each other, and the difference you make for our patients every single day.