Public urged to thank nurses by shining light from window
NURSING leaders are asking the public to shine a light from their window on Tuesday night to show appreciation for the profession.
The gesture is a reference to the lamp carried by Florence Nightingale, founder of modern nursing and a pioneer in infection control. Tuesday marks the 200th anniversary of her birth and has been designated International Nurses Day.
Ruth May, chief nursing officer for England, has joined other nursing leaders in urging the nation to take part.
“I know how much the public’s support has buoyed my colleagues. It would mean a great deal if people once again showed their gratitude by shining a light for nurses this Tuesday,” she said. The tribute is planned for 8.30pm.
An image of Nightingale will be projected on to her place of work, St Thomas’ Hospital, from the Houses of Parliament throughout the night.
Dame Eileen Sills, chief nurse at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It’s fantastic to see our hospitals illuminated in Florence Nightingale’s image. It’s a very fitting tribute as her first nursing school was set up at St Thomas’ Hospital in 1860, establishing Guy’s and St Thomas’ as the home of modern nursing.
“Florence Nightingale’s teachings are more important than ever before. Her emphasis on good sanitation, hygiene and gathering data is the foundation of modern nursing and a key part of efforts to tackle coronavirus.
Thousands of former nurses have come out of retirement to help the NHS in the emergency, while thousands of nursing students have taken up extended clinical placements.
‘Florence Nightingale would have been proud at nurses following in her footsteps. They are truly her legacy’
Ms May said: “I want to thank each and every one of our incredible nurses It is a challenging but hugely rewarding career and I would urge anyone inspired by their example to sign up and join us and become a nurse.”
Prof Greta Westwood, chief executive of the Florence Nightingale Foundation, said: “Florence Nightingale would have been proud at the way nurses have followed in her footsteps as leaders in the fight against the pandemic. They are truly her legacy today.”