International Nurses Day 2024

"Happy Nurses Day to Malaysian nurses, both locally and internationally”

International Nurses Day is observed on May 12th, with the theme “Our Nurses. Our Future. The economic power of care”. This theme is highlighted for International Nurses Day 2024 as a demand to invest more in nursing for the quality of health care.

Undeniably, the power of economic care in nursing, far exceeds the limits of hospital walls. Nurses are frontline warriors in the battle for public health, working tirelessly to promote well-being, prevent disease, and manage complex health conditions. Their holistic approach to care not only improves patient outcomes but also reduces healthcare costs by preventing costly complications and hospital readmissions. The power of economic care can enhance and create healthy people and communities thus driving a healthy economy.

Nevertheless, the nursing profession in Malaysia appears to be undervalued, particularly in light of the multifaceted health challenges of the 21st century. Despite the rising influx of newly graduated nurses with bachelor's degrees, their expertise remains underappreciated. The expansion of higher nursing education appears constrained, as numerous hospitals prioritize the employment of diploma nurses with lower paid to mitigate the acute shortage of nursing staff. Consequently, a considerable number of nurses holding bachelor's degrees opt to migrate abroad in pursuit of more lucrative remuneration and promising career prospects. This trend underscores a perceived stagnation within the bachelor's degree program.

Investing in nursing education, training, and workforce development is therefore not just an investment in individual nurses but an investment in the economic prosperity and resilience of nations. The power of economic care is expected to reshape perceptions towards our nurses, the future and show how strategic investment in nursing can be of great benefit to a healthy economy and society. 

Dr. Salimah Japar

Date of Input: 12/05/2024 | Updated: 05/08/2024 | nadia_rahman