International Nurses Day, 12 May 2017
The Department of Nursing of the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta, is organising a seminar on International Nurses Day, to celebrate the essential contribution that nurses provide through their diverse roles. This event is being held on the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth (1820-1910), and aims to acclaim nurses’ vital contribution to the health of Maltese society, while empowering nurses to discover their leadership potential.
The seminar will be held on Friday 12 May at 16:30 at the South Auditorium, Faculty of Health Science.
The seminar is being held under the auspices of the President of the Republic, H.E. Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, who will be welcomed by the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Professor Angela Xuereb.
The theme for this year ‘Nurses: A voice to lead’ has been chosen by the International Council of Nurses and will be addressed through a discussion of the nurse as a carer, as an educator, and as an advocate for the patients and their loved ones. The three sub themes to be discussed are: Leading as an individual, Leading as a professional, and Leading as a member of the multi-disciplinary team.
This seminar gives recognition to the nurses’ work which often goes unseen. Therefore, all current and retired nurses, as well as student nurses, and all nursing Bodies are invited to attend.
A moment of silence will be held at the start of the seminar to commemorate Professor Donia Baldacchino who passed away recently, and whose contribution to nurse education and innovative research on spiritual care will not be forgotten.
Dr Catherine Sharples, Education Liaison Nurse at Mater Dei Hospital, will give a short presentation on the history of nursing with particular reference to the leadership role. A specially produced video presentation will then highlight the diversity and impact of a variety of nursing roles. The ensuing discussion will be chaired by Ms Amy Camilleri Zahra. The Panel will be made up of Ms Janet Micallef, Mr Kurt Cassar, Ms Maria Cutajar, Mr Vince Saliba, Ms Grace Jaccarini, Dr Victoria Sultana and Dr Josef Trapani.
Dr Roberta Sammut, Head of Department of Nursing at the Faculty of Health Sciences will conclude the meeting with a summary of the main points raised.
