Globally, approximately 50% of healthcare professionals are nurses and midwives (women and men). Of the current shortage of healthcare workers, approximately 50% are nurses and midwives. Globally, 70% of the health workforce are women of which nursing and midwifery make up a major portion. We are facing a crisis within the professions that is being reported on but appears to have generated a limited response. As professional nurses and midwives, we have to ask, “Why is it that this issue is not being shouted about from the rooftops?”
I know from my own experience that many people are unaware of the role and function of a nurse or midwife, until they need it. This applies, no matter where the nurse or midwife works; on hospital wards, in maternity units or at the front door of the patients home and other settings. The work of nurses and midwives appear to have become more visible during the pandemic as represented by the many signs of appreciation offered by the public. Indeed, the Irish and other western governments have demonstrated their appreciation by offering monetary payments to nurses and midwives who could demonstrate that they worked at the frontline during the pandemic.
Nurses and midwives offer something different and unique to other valuable healthcare professionals. They (nurses & midwives) offer a continuous presence or accessibility for patients/women. One of the most valuable assets of any nurse or midwife is the skills of observation and anticipation of needs. It is through these skills that you can understand the level of patient/woman wellness and subsequently access the additional care required, if any deviation in status occurs. This is the core of our work whether we work in patient/woman education, on an acute ward, in a patients home in the community or in a critical care setting. We are effective at implementing processes that focus on the individualised needs of those that receive our care. We are renowned advocates and practitioners of patient quality care and safety. As nurses and midwives, we understand the differences in the roles and impact we offer, however, we may not articulate this very well to others.
We need to learn and refine our elevator pitch…
Some evidence suggests that the lack of articulation and professional visibility suggests a sub-professional rather than professional body, on an equal footing to other professionals who influence and drive patient/women’s care3. Concern has been raised that we have not been visible in healthcare reform and this has been made more visible through the absence of nurses and midwives at senior national operational roles 4 5. Nationally, the greatest reform in healthcare will be seen through the implementation of the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy6. Whilst the action plan was influenced and developed in the Department of Health7 , 2018, with input from nursing and midwifery, implementing the plan requires significant operational intervention by those that can influence the principles of the plan – nurses and midwives. As process driven professionals, nurses and midwives understand what needs to be done and more importantly, how to do it. However, its challenging to get a seat at the table, even when you bring your own chair!!
Just Sayin… Being Called By Your Name Matters
There is also a subtle nuance of the perceived eradication of the professional titles of “nurse” and “midwife” from many of our national health documents. The preference appears to be “health professionals”. There is nothing wrong with the word “health professional“, however, having chosen this career and practicing within a regulated statutory legislative framework, respect and value for the profession is viewed through the visibility and use of the title.
In the UK whilst the title “Registered Nurse” is protected in legislation, the RCN have further challenged and want protected the title “nurse” by protesting for the protection of the title in legislation8. This will avoid any misuse of the title by persons whom the public may assume is a nurse when they are not. In contrast, many midwives internationally practice under the title “nurse or obstetric nurse” and have not protected the professional title of “midwife” as is the case since legislation was introduced in Ireland in 2011.
Please call me by my name … I am a nurse….I am a midwife…