International Nurses’ Day is celebrated around the world every May 12, the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale. International Council of Nurses commemorates this important day each year. The theme for the year 2021 is Nurses: A Voice to Lead - A vision for future healthcare. Manipal College of Nursing, MAHE Manipal celebrated International Nurses’ Day - 2021 with great enthusiasm.  All the six departments of the College and Manipal School of Nursing have conducted various events as part of International Nurses’ Day 2021.

Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing conducted an essay competition on the topic “Future Perspectives of Nurse Practitioners in India”. A number of entries from different Nursing Colleges of India was received. Ms Priyanka Subhash Chavare, a student of 2nd year Nurse Practitioner in Critical Care, Krishna Institute of Nursing Sciences, Satara, Maharashtra and Ms Himani Sing, BSc Nursing student, Panna Dhai Maa Subharti Nursing College, Hastinapur, Meerut were the winners. The department of Mental Health Nursing organized an Elocution competition on the theme: Future of Nursing in the arena of COVID-19. Many students participated in the competition. Ms Shaina Tauro 1st year BSc (N) MCON Manipal won the first prize and Ms Smitha Saldana, 1st year MSc (N), MCON Manipal won the second prize.

Department of Child Health Nursing conducted a drawing competition for students of Nursing colleges and schools of Udupi district. A large number of students participated in the drawing competition from nine colleges/schools of Nursing. The theme for the drawing competition was “Impact of Covid-19 on Nurses”, which was given to the students on the spot. Ms Meghana S Kumar, II Year BSc Nursing student from Canara College of Nursing, Udupi secured first place and Ms Suparna, IV Year BSc Nursing student from Ashrith College of Nursing, Kota, Udupi secured second place.

Department of Community Health Nursing organised an E-poster competition and 31 posters were received from various colleges in India. The first prize was secured by Ms Celestin and Ms Maxtin, Lombard Memorial College of Nursing, Udupi and the second prize was won by Mrs Priyanka. G from KLE Institute of Nursing Sciences, KAHER, Belagavi. The department of Obstetrics and Gynaecological Nursing organized an online E-Quiz competition on “Midwifery care” for 30 nursing professionals and nursing students from all over India through Microsoft Teams Platform. The first place was secured by Ms Aswathi P, IV BSc Nursing student and the second place was secured by Ms Jevita Fernandes, IV BSc Nursing student, Manipal College of Nursing, MAHE, Manipal. Dept of Fundamentals of Nursing conducted a video making competition on the topic – Lockdown Learning. Ms Crystal Vanessa Noronha and Ms Ashel Venisha Lobo from 1^st yr BSc Nursing, MCON Manipal won first prize and Ms Helena Maria Prasad and Ms Helan Anna Joseph from 1^st yr BSc Nursing, MCON Manipal won the second prize.

During the International Nurses’ Day celebration on 12 May 2021, Mrs Rachel George, Registrar, Maharashtra Nursing Council deliberated a vibrant session on Future Perspectives of Nursing Education. She expressed her deep sense of gratitude to the nurses who are on the front line to save mankind, especially during this Covid pandemic. She addressed the mass traumatization of the global nursing force. She stressed on encouraging the present generation to join Nursing. She also said that teachers play a major role in the future nursing education and to bring the best out of the students.

Mrs Gracy Mathai, Chief Executive Officer, Baby Memorial Hospital, Kozhikode, Kerala presented her expert view on ‘A vision of future healthcare from nursing perspectives'. She stressed that technology-based resource should be put into action to improve clinical knowledge which would ease the work of nurses. The world is facing an acute shortage of nurses and nurses are overburdened with non-nursing tasks, which further increases the stress among them. Effective use of clinical support system such as digital gadgets enhances nursing care. Recognising nurses and their work motivates the nurses for better output, which improves patient care. A total of 285 participants including nurses, nursing students and faculty members attended the program through virtual mode.  

Dr Latha T, Assistant Professor, Manipal College of Nursing Manipal and convenor of International Nurses’ Day 2021 welcomed the gathering and gave an overview of departmental activities. The cash prize award instituted by Dr Kasturi R Adiga, the former Principal of Manipal School of Nursing, Manipal for a student of PBBSc Nursing, a final year Diploma Nursing student and also a Nursing Staff of Kasturba Hospital, Manipal for their ‘excellence in clinical practice’ was announced by Dr Judith A Noronha, Associate Dean of MCON.  The names of students who won prizes in different competitions conducted were also announced by her.  Dr Soumya Christabel, Assistant Professor and co-convener proposed the vote of thanks.