Manipal College of Nursing & Manipal School of Nursing Manipal has observed week-long activities as a part of International Nurses Day- 2023, on the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. The theme chosen by the International Council of Nurses for the year 2023 is “Our Nurses. Our Future.”

The formal program was organized on 12th May 2023 at the Dr. TMA Pai hall, 2nd Floor, KMC, Manipal. Dr. Judith A Noronha, Dean, Manipal College of Nursing welcomed the gathering. Mrs. Jeyalakshmi K, Convenor of International Nurses Day presented the report of various activities conducted as a part of International Nurses Day 2023. She highlighted the activities such as Slogan, Poem writing & Elocution competition; a Radio Talk & TV interview program on nurses’ contribution towards society; a Webinar on “Handling Emergencies” at the Primary Health care Settings and a Seminar on the Nurses’ Day theme given by International Council of Nurses which were organized by various functional departments of MCON, MAHE, Manipal.

Chief Guest, Dr. Sharath Kumar Rao K, Pro Vice-Chancellor- Health Sciences, MAHE, Manipal highlighted during the inaugural address that, Sixty percent of healthcare professionals are nurses, and they spend most of their time with the patients. Nurses are considered holistic leaders who also take care of social, mental, and spiritual health along with the physical health of a person. Care, compassion, and comfort are a trade of the nursing profession, and they are working frontline, “not only for care but also for change and challenges”. Most importantly, the Nurses put forth the need and comfort of their patients before their needs and comfort. He concluded his talk by mentioning the challenges which will be faced in the future by nurses and the need for lifelong learning.

On this occasion, two eminent nurses Mrs. Mamatha, Operation Theatre Nurse-Incharge, Kasturba Hospital Manipal, and Mrs. Dakshayini Nayak, Senior Primary Health Care Officer, Primary Health Centre, Pernankila were felicitated for their contribution towards the patient and community care services and for students learning. Dr. Leena Sequira, Principal, Manipal School of Nursing highlighted the achievements of the nurses who were felicitated.

Mrs. Ranjani P, Co-Convener, proposed the vote of thanks. Dr. Elsa Sanatombi Devi, Professor, Department .of Medical-Surgical Nursing, MCON & Deputy Director CCEID, MAHE, Manipal & Mrs. Hilda Rodrigues, Retd. Professor, Milagres College, Kallianpur deliberated the session focusing on the nurse's day theme. The program ended with various cultural activities by the students of MCON & MSON, MAHE, Manipal