2010 International Year of the Nurse

Are you keen on making New Year’s resolutions? I suspect most of us think of personal resolutions, and then some of us think of professional resolutions. One of my professional resolutions is to promote 2010 as the International Year of the Nurse. This is the centennial year of Florence Nightingale’s death (1820-1910).

To commemorate and honor Ms. Nightingale and her contributions to modern nursing, the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International, the Nightingale Initiative for Global Health and the Florence Nightingale Museum in London have collaborated in creating a campaign to increase public awareness of the impact, influence and leadership nurses bring to health initiatives around the world. The campaign builds on the United Nations Millenium Development Goals.

Become involved in this effort by signing the Nightingale Declaration. Consider contributing and sharing stories related to the work that you do! Encourage your friends and colleagues to visit www.2010IYNurse.net and participate in the yearlong celebration. Create celebrations and other activities in your hometown and add them to the calendar of events! I hope to attend the Commemorative Global Service at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. on 25 April 2010. This is one of my professional New Year’s resolutions that will last all year long!

For Reflections on Nursing Leadership, published by the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International.