Recognising International Nurses Day 12th May 2024

Recognising International Nurses Day

International Nurses Day is a global celebration held on 12th May every year, dedicated to honouring and celebrating nurses’ contributions to the healthcare sector. Nurses are the backbone of the healthcare system and play a vital role in improving the lives of millions of people around the world. This day is chosen as the date for International Nurses Day because it marks the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale, a renowned figure in nursing history.

This year’s theme is Our Nurses. Our Future. The economic power of care. Despite being the backbone of health care, nursing often faces financial constraints and societal undervaluation. The theme aims to reshape perceptions, demonstrating how strategic investment in nursing can bring considerable economic and societal benefits.

We wanted to shine a local light on nursing and celebrate the exceptional work of our nurses and the roles they play in the lives of our residents who rely on their care and support. We want to spotlight a couple of our nurses who share with us what Nursing means to them and when they started in Nursing.

Meet Sarah Buller, Senior Nurse

Sarah Says: “In May next year I will have been nursing for 30 years. It is a very worthwhile and rewarding career and I would not want to do anything else!”

Upon leaving school, Sarah had a part-time job working in a jeweller’s, originally wanting to pursue a career as an engraver, even going so far as to train and qualify in engraving and diamond cutting. A visiting rep saw Sarah’s care and compassion when Sarah worked as a care assistant with patients with skin conditions and suggested Sarah should become a nurse. Sarah had not considered this, having left school without any qualifications not thinking this was an option for her. Sarah completed her entrance training and gained a place in the Wealden School of Nursing in West Sussex.

After working in major surgery and trauma in London, Sarah returned to her hometown of Birmingham, working with the elderly in hospitals, the community, and then several nursing homes. Sarah and her husband visited Hastings for over 10 years for dog-friendly holidays, even buying a holiday lodge locally. When her parents sadly died, they made the permanent move to the area.

Sarah came to Hastings Court in 2022 and was recently promoted to Senior Nurse.

Meet Ania Benhamau,  Nurse

Ania says: “I love feeling like I have made a difference and there is nothing better than helping people, especially older people and I love working with them”

After leaving school, a difficult choice between 2 colleges next door to each other presented itself, one training to become a Nurse or a Health and Safety Inspector and Ania to choose the latter.  Once qualified, Ania enjoyed this work whilst living in Poland; however, a holiday trip to England with her sister made her decide to stay in the UK. Not easily able to transfer her Health Inspector qualifications over to the UK, Ania set up her own business and opened a cleaning agency in London. After doing this for several years, Ania wanted a change in career and, having always been in the back of her mind, decided to train to become a nurse.

Ania attended an access to nursing course in Richmond and completed a three-year nursing course at Kingston University in 2008. Having been a nurse for nearly 20 years, Ania has worked for the NHS at Kingston Hospital, the Conquest Hospital in Hastings, and Raigmore Hospital in Inverness. In the meantime, Ania’s sister had moved to Hastings. Ania could not resist the pull of the beautiful Sussex coast, moving back to Hastings to be nearer her family.

Whilst training to become a health inspector in Poland, Ania volunteered for the Red Cross, in particular, working with the elderly. When back in Hastings with so much experience working with older people in hospitals and with this fond memory, Ania decided she wanted to work in care homes and so came to work at Hastings Court.

Our nurses have special skills as they use their clinical skills to understand the variety of needs of residents and also deliver personalised and relationship-centred care. They recognise the importance of giving each individual a sense of security, purpose, achievement, and significance by building relationships with residents, their families, and various healthcare practitioners. The care takes a more holistic approach, and nurses must be adaptable, flexible, and committed to excellence.

At Oakland Care, we are incredibly proud of all nurses who have proven they are true heroes by going above and beyond their duties and caring for our residents like their family. Nursing is not just a job; it’s a way of life; it’s a career, and nurses are our tomorrow.

On this International Nurses Day, we extend our gratitude and appreciation to all Nurses for their contributions to the healthcare sector. Happy International Nurses Day!

Love Nursing and want to make a difference? Find out more about our Nursing roles at Oakland Care Careers