Not all heroes wear capes, some wear scubs: Celebrating nurses, the backbone of healthcare

Reflect on one experience you had while hospitalised. Nurses were probably the health workers who accompanied you frequently. They are the ones who clarify medical procedures, answer your questions with unshakable patience, and provide comfort in moments of fear or uncertainty.

Unsung heroes

These unsung heroes stand as steadfast guardians of health—day and night, in crises and routine care, with compassion as their compass and expertise as their tool. They are the heartbeat of healthcare, often working tirelessly behind the scenes to heal, comfort, and advocate for patients.

As the world marked the International Nurses Day on Monday (celebrated on May 12, Florence Nightingale's birthday) it was a perfect moment  to honour them as the backbone of healthcare, whose skills and compassion save lives daily.

International Nurses Day is far more than cakes and flowers —though these tokens of gratitude certainly matter. Above all, it’s a day to honour the immeasurable impact nurses have on lives, healthcare systems, and society itself. 

They are healers, advocates, and tireless guardians of compassion in moments when humanity is most vulnerable. Today, we pause not just to thank them, but to truly recognise the weight of their dedication—and the light they bring to the darkest of hours."

Also read: The silent grief of Kenyan nurses

Florence Nightingale, recognised as the pioneer of contemporary nursing, famously stated: "Nursing is not for those who enter the profession seeking profit or personal satisfaction." Without doubt, nurses are motivated by profound empathy and an unwavering commitment to assist others.

Nearly 20 million nurses serve across the world—each carrying a story as unique as the lives they touch.

 They are fluent in the language of hope and despair, bravery and suffering, joy and grief, and pain and death. They bear witness to life’s most sacred moments: the first cries of newborns entering the world and the last whispers of those leaving it.

Nursing staff are the essential backbone of global healthcare systems. From a patient’s admission to their recovery and eventual return home, every step of the journey is shaped by the skill, compassion, and unwavering dedication of these professionals. Their contributions go far beyond medical tasks—they are healers of both body and spirit.

The path to recovery is not just paved with medication but also with the caring words, gentle reassurances, and steadfast presence of nurses. Their empathy transforms clinical spaces into places of hope. Yet too often, their commitment to patients comes at a personal cost: poor pay, exhausting shifts, emotional tolls, and neglected well-being.

Before Nightingale, nursing was often seen as menial labour. She rebranded it as a skilled, respected vocation.

Nightingale, revered as the founder of modern nursing, transformed the profession into one of dignity, skill, and compassion. Her legendary service during the Crimean War (1854) set an enduring standard for healthcare workers worldwide. 

 When wounded British soldiers faced neglect and deadly infections in overcrowded military hospitals, Nightingale and her team of nurses stepped in. With a lamp in hand, she tirelessly cared for patients through the night, comforting the dying and healing the sick—earning her the title 'the Lady with the Lamp'.

Nightingale was born on May 12, 1820, in Florence, Italy. Her parents were William Edward Nightingale and Frances Nightingale.

While the International Council of Nurses proposed celebrating International Nurses Day in memory of Nightingale in 1953, the day was formally started in 1965. However, the celebration on Nightingale's birthday, May 12, was not established until 1974. 

This day is celebrated to remember and express gratitude for the contribution made by nursing staff in the field of health services during challenging circumstances.

The International Council of Nurses emphasises the critical role of nursing staff in healthcare and advocates for their mental health, physical well-being, and safety in hospital.

Without doubt, nurses should receive salaries that reflect their education, skills, and critical role in patient care. Many countries underpay nurses, leading to burnout and workforce shortages.

The Covid-19 pandemic was a brutal test of global healthcare systems, and nurses emerged as the true frontline warriors, risking—and often sacrificing—their lives to care for millions when even patients' own families were unable to approach. Their courage, compassion, and resilience redefined heroism in modern healthcare.

The global nursing shortage is a critical issue impacting healthcare systems worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the standard ratio is three nurses per 1,000 population, but current data reveals a significant deficit.

 The global nursing workforce has grown from 27.9 million in 2018 to 29.8 million in 2023, yet the shortage persists at 5.8 million nurses (down from 6.2 million in 2018).  If current trends continue, the shortage is projected to decline to 4.1 million by 2030.

WHO has advised governments of various countries to modernise the education systems of hospitals and nurses to make the slogan "Health for All" meaningful.

Nurses don’t wear capes. They wear exhaustion under their eyes and resilience on their sleeves. Today—and every day—they deserve more than applause. They deserve change.

To all the nurses around the world—thank you for being the heartbeat of healthcare. You are the real-life angels who make this world a healthier, kinder place.

Mr Flora is a veteran journalist and freelance writer based in Brampton, Canada