The 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale coincides with International Nurses Day today (12 May) and follows last week’s International Day of the Midwife (5 May) .

In fact, the World Health Organization has designated 2020 as The Year of the Nurse and Midwife, with the theme ‘Nurses: A Voice to Lead – Nursing the World to Health’ to demonstrate how nurses are central to addressing a wide range of health challenges.

Here in South Australia, Flinders University second and third-year nursing students are stepping up to accept new employment opportunities in hospitals or take on additional shifts to support the health care sector during the COVID-19 crisis.

Flinders University Professor Robyn Aitken says many second and third-year nursing students who were already employed in health care settings have swiftly volunteered to take on additional work hours.

“Some are working more often in roles essential to supporting Registered Nurses and the ongoing functioning of hospitals, and others have taken on new public health roles such as front-of-house temperature checking and communicating with patients and visitors,” Professor Aitken says.

She says many Flinders students have also responded to SA Health’s recruitment drive for additional nursing assistant positions.

The additional recruitment of health professionals is required to staff hospitals, health sites, aged care facilities and dedicated COVID-19 clinics to cope with demand on the state’s public health care system.

“Flinders nursing students have been quick to volunteer for additional hours and to take on new roles in the health care workforce,” Professor Aitken says.

“Our students have been able to take up these opportunities safely, while drawing upon their knowledge of infection control to perform new tasks and confidently continue going to work each day.”

SA Health has also issued a call out for students studying allied health professions such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech pathology to help alleviate the strain.

SA Health Chief Nurse and Midwifery Officer, Adjunct Associate Professor Jenny Hurley, says nurses and midwives are playing an important role in educating our community in the fight to protect and minimise the spread of the virus.

“These are extraordinary times and South Australia is mobilising every resource we have to ensure our community and our health system is prepared for the long-haul fight against coronavirus,” she says.

“Our frontline nurses are doing incredible work in testing, caring for and treating COVID-19 patients. The most important thing is that all nurses are in this fight together.

“From intensive care, aged care to the emergency department, our nurses are contributing to protecting our community against this global pandemic.

“This is about the largest healthcare profession working together to support our community and each other as we face an unprecedented challenge.”

Professor Aitken commended the efforts of health services and organisations in continuing workplace learning opportunities for students.

“Our well-prepared students are ready to contribute to the effort, and it is of utmost importance to keep students moving closer to graduation and full participation in the workforce,” she says.

“They also give us another reason to celebrate the contribution of nurses over time to population health and infection control.”

Professor Aitken says the COVID-19 crisis has not only highlighted the significant role that students and health care professionals play in infection control, but also a reason to further recognise the 2020 International Year of the Nurse and Midwife.

The year-long-celebrations are a nod to the 200th year since the birth of Florence Nightingale, a trailblazing figure in nursing and infection control standards.

Read about the fascinating careers of two Flinders University graduates Kate Taylor and Sandra Crockett. 

Nursing and midwifery alumni and former staff members are invited to share stories for the Year of the Nurse and Midwife alumni stories page, or papers or photos of historical interest, via nursingmidwiferyhistory@flinders.edu.au or call during office hours on (08) 7421 9758.