Future Nursing: International Nurses’ Day 2021 by Rachael Palmer
- powered by Vopulus
- May 12, 2021
- 2 min read
Future Nursing: International Nurses’ Day by Rachael Palmer

Rachael Palmer
My first HLA Blog, written pre-COVID-19, was a piece discussing the need for 2020: The Year of the Nurse and Midwife. Little did I know what that year would shape up to be. Whilst we are still very much experiencing the pandemic, 2020 saw healthcare change like never before and innovation supported and driven by a range of professionals. Change that normally would take years was facilitated in weeks. Registered nurses, those who are with patients and their families 24 hours a day, were at the fore.
Throughout the claps, the donations to staff, the rainbows in the windows, I would hope that more than good cheer was raised for nurses. I hope the public remember the images they saw on the news of ICU nurses in Level 3 PPE, in the height of summer, doing their best under immense pressure with so much heartache. I hope they remember the ward managers’ interviews, describing the reorganisation of the whole NHS systems in days. I hope they remember the ways in which nurses innovatively connected families and loved ones at a desperate time.
Nurses, the largest healthcare profession, play a huge role in shaping healthcare, improving access to care and planning care delivery. International Nurses’ Day 2021 aims to celebrate and showcase how nurses are shaping the future of healthcare.
COVID-19 has demonstrated the pressures and the failings in funding our healthcare system, but also how reorganisation can deliver what nurses have always been crying out for, a focus on training and money for professional development for example. It’s a wonder how some of these things have taken a pandemic to materialise but brought to my attention how everything about nursing is political, big P or little p. When it comes to pay, safe staffing, the big Ps – the money tree dies.
Future healthcare for me would see nurses’ professional status and clout elevated to the same position from which they influence and shape care. Only then can we say that we’ve celebrated the profession.
This will take work. For now, if you’re a nurse, why not submit a case study to the International Council of Nurses for IND 2021 on your service redesign, new ways of working or health innovation. Guidance can be found here: https://www.icn.ch/system/files/documents/2020-10/Case%20study%20template%20%26%20guidelines%202021_final.pdf
Tell the world about the revolution in healthcare you are leading.
Bio
Rachael Palmer is a Registered Nurse working in Haematology, Florence Nightingale Foundation Leadership Scholar, and Council of Deans of Health #150Leaders Alumnus. Rachael leads The HLA Nurse and AHP Network having been a Healthcare Leadership Academy Scholar (2019-20). Rachael is also a Clinical Demonstrator with the University of Plymouth and leads on the Royal Devon & Exeter Newly Qualified Nurse Forum.



construction equipment services for both residential and commercial projects. From excavators and skid steers to compact track loaders, their equipment is well-maintained and reliable.
electrical services, KS Santos Electric is a trusted name in the industry. Their team is knowledgeable, punctual, and detail-oriented. From wiring upgrades to complex electrical installations, they handle every project with precision and commitment to safety and excellence.
handyman services near me in Naples, FL often feels like a gamble. Swift Fix takes the guesswork out of the equation with their dependable and high-quality work
Writing birthday cards has always been a bit of a challenge for me because I never know what to write other than the standard "Happy Birthday." I wanted to send a heartfelt message to my sister who lives overseas, something that would really make her smile. I searched for unique wishes on Hello Says and found the perfect paragraph. It was sentimental without being too cheesy, and it expressed exactly how much I missed her. She called me in tears after reading it, saying it was the best card she received. I am so glad I found a resource that helps me articulate my feelings so well.
We are in the process of building a rear extension on our house, and we needed to empty the ground floor to prevent our furniture from getting covered in construction dust. We searched for removals and storage london. The team from this moving company london was very professional; they created a detailed inventory of everything they took, which gave us great peace of mind. The service allowed the builders to work without obstruction, and we know our items are safe and insured until the construction is finished.