The Heart of Healthcare: A Tribute to Australia's Nurses this International Nurses Day
Every year on May 12, International Nurses Day offers a moment to reflect on the incredible contributions of nurses around the world. In Australia, nurses form the backbone of our healthcare system - from hospitals and aged care facilities to remote communities and crisis wards. Today, we honor not just what nurses do, but who they are - the heart, soul, and strength behind every patient journey.
Nurses by the Numbers
There are more than 303,000 registered nurses and midwives in Australia. Together, they make up more than half of Australia’s health workforce - and almost 90 per cent are women.
But behind these figures are human stories - of night shifts and 12-hour days, of deep compassion and clinical excellence.
The Critical Role of Nurses
The role of a nurse goes far beyond what the general public might expect. Nurses are often the first to comfort a patient in distress, the calm voice during a medical emergency, and the presence beside a bed when families can’t be there. They juggle documentation, emotional support, medications, advocacy, and crisis. Nurses work with many other health professionals in the public and private health sectors. Settings where nurses work include: public hospitals, private hospitals, aged care (both residential and home), primary care practices including general practice, community health services, schools, correctional facilities, rural and remote communities.
Recognition Beyond Applause
During the pandemic, nurses were applauded as heroes. But the truth is: heroism shouldn’t be a job requirement. Real recognition comes in the form of:
- Safe nurse-to-patient ratios
- Supportive working conditions
- Accessible mental health services
- Fair, flexible, and reliable career opportunities
How We Support Nurses at CollarCare
At CollarCare, we’re proud to be part of a support system that values nurses as more than a resource - but as people. Through ethical recruitment, responsive HR support, and placements that consider lifestyle and wellbeing, we aim to be a trusted partner to nurses at every stage of their career.
How You Can Support Nurses
The general Australian public can support nurses by raising awareness about the profession's challenges, encouraging the uptake of nursing roles in regional and rural areas, and advocating for better working conditions, including mental health support and adequate staffing. Additionally, the public can show appreciation for nurses by volunteering their time in hospitals or clinics, and by making informed choices about their healthcare to minimize the workload on nurse.
This International Nurses Day, we extend our deepest gratitude to every nurse. We see you. We support you. And we thank you.
References: Data for this article came from https://www.health.gov.au/topics/nurses-and-midwives/about
