International Nurses Day was Celebrated in the Faculty of Nursing through Zoom conferencing
Nursing is a distinct profession with typical unique characteristics. Today nursing is one of the most demanding profession in the world. It has been predicted that there would be an acute shortage of nurses by 2030. According to the history, nursing had been developed as a profession with the visionary contribution of Miss. Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. In order to pay the gratitude to Florence nightingale, international council of nurses had declared 12th may as the international nurses’ day. Every year nurses around the world celebrate international nurses’ day. This year International nurses’ day has a special significance because of two reasons. One reason is that the year 2020 has been designated as the year of nurse and midwife by WHO at the World Health Assembly in 1018. The other reason is, the 200th birthday of Florence Nightingale fell on 12th May 2020. Faculty of nursing as the only faculty for nursing in Sri Lanka, international nurses’ day was celebrated on 12th May 2020 according to the guidance given by the Vice chancellor Senior Professor Chandrika Wijerathne using the zoom conferencing was very successful. Large number of students and the academic staff members participated for this event. At the beginning of the event Dr. Sudath Warnakulasuriya, acting dean, welcomed the participants and briefly explained the significance of international nurses’ day by referring to the character and contribution of Florence Nightingale. He presented some posters related to international nurses’ day and pictures of Flo犀利士
rence Nightingale. Further, he introduced this year theme of the international nurses day as the “Nurses: voice to lead: Nursing the world to Health” Next Dr. Sudath played a sort video that contained the message sent for Sri Lankan Nurses by Dr Howard Catton, CEO for the International Council of Nurses (ICN). Next Mrs. NAR Nettasinghe, Head of the Department of Fundamentals of Nursing and Dr. Sirimal Premakumar, Head of the Department of Basic Sciences gave their International nurses day messages to the students. Then, acting dean Dr. Sudath Warnakulasuriya invited students to express their views and reflections on international nurses’ day. First speech was made by Miss.Yothmi Bandara Wahala third year student, followed by Miss. Shalomi Perera, second year student and Miss. Navya Alwis third year student. All three students made interesting presentations based on historical evidence and present trends related to this year international day theme and Florence nightingale. Finally, Vice chancellor, senior professor Chandrika Wijeratne addressed the participants. First, she appreciated the faculty of nursing for organizing this event within a short period and described the importance of nursing profession by highlighting the significant contribution of Florence Nightingale. Further, vice-chancellor appreciated the three students who made the very interesting prestation by motivation them and extended her good wishes to all students and the staff. This celebration was ended with a conclusion remarks by the acting dean.
