By By Ogunbowale, Tolulope Sobiye
Every year on May 12, the world celebrates International Nurses Day. It is a special day set aside to honour nurses and appreciate everything they do for humanity. The date also marks the birthday of Florence Nightingale, who is known as the pioneer of modern nursing. But beyond celebration, this day reminds us of something more significant. Nurses are human beings carrying heavy responsibilities and silent struggles, but they still show up every day to save lives. To understand them better, we need to talk about their challenges, their strength and the encouragement they deserve.
We need to note that there is a pressure behind the care because life is not a bed of roses, it is full of stress and sacrifice. Nurses go through a lot that many people do not see. In many hospitals, especially in countries like Nigeria, there are not enough nurses to take care of the growing number of patients. This means one nurse may have to attend to many people at the same time, sometimes without rest. They work long hours, sometimes through the night, and still return to duty the next day exhausted. On top of that, the pay they receive is often not enough compared to the amount of work they do. Emotionally, it is also not easy. Nurses see people in pain every day, witness emergencies and sometimes even lose patients despite their best efforts. All of this builds up stress that many people outside the hospital may never fully understand.
Even with all these challenges, they are still standing tall against all odds. Nurses continue to show incredible strength. Their strength is not just about physical energy, but about their heart and mind. Imagine staying calm when a patient is fighting for life or comforting a family that has just received bad news. Nurses do this every day. They don’t always get applause, but they keep going because they know someone’s life depends on them. In emergency situations, they act quickly and responsibly, even when things are confusing and stressful. A simple example is a nurse in the emergency ward who stays focused during chaos, making sure patients are stable while also giving hope to worried relatives. That kind of strength is not common, it is special and deeply human.
Nurses also need encouragement because they give so much of themselves. That’s what keeps them going. Sometimes, a simple ‘thank you’ from a patient or family member means more than people realize because ‘a little goes a long way’. Respect also matters a lot. Being treated kindly and appreciated for their effort makes a big difference. Encouragement should not stop at words. Nurses need better working conditions, fair salaries, enough staff, and proper medical equipment to do their jobs well. When they are supported properly, they are happier, healthier and more motivated to care for others. Encouragement reminds them that they are not alone in their works.
Society and government also have a role to play. Hospitals need to be better equipped, and more nurses should be employed so that the workload is reduced. Governments must invest more in healthcare and make sure nurses are treated fairly. At the same time, people in society should learn to respect nurses and appreciate their work instead of taking them for granted. When nurses feel valued, fewer of them will leave their countries in search of better opportunities and healthcare systems will become stronger.
In all, International Nurses Day is more than just a celebration. It is a reminder of the real lives behind the uniforms. Nurses face stress and pressure, but they still show up with courage and care. They need encouragement, better support, and understanding from everyone. At the end of the day, nurses are the ones who stand between sickness and recovery, fear and hope. If society truly values life, then it must also value those who protect it every single day. Happy International Nurses Day!
