International Nurses Day: Honouring the Compassion and Commitment of Nurses
- Shane Warren
- May 12
- 2 min read
MEDIA RLEASE
For Immediate Release
12 May 2026
On International Nurses Day, the Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association of Australia (VMHPAA) proudly recognises the extraordinary dedication, skill, and compassion of nurses across Australia and around the world.
Nurses are the backbone of our healthcare system. They are present in moments of crisis, recovery, birth, grief, uncertainty, and hope. They provide not only clinical care, but emotional reassurance, advocacy, and human connection to patients and families navigating some of life’s most challenging experiences.
VMHPAA Chair Shane Warren said:
“Nurses stand at the intersection of science and compassion. Their work is physically demanding and emotionally intense. If we value healthcare outcomes, we must also value the wellbeing of the nurses delivering that care.” Shane Warren said.
The past decade has highlighted the immense psychological load carried by nursing professionals. Long shifts, staffing shortages, exposure to trauma, and high emotional labour can contribute to stress, burnout, and mental health challenges.
Supporting nurses means:
Ensuring safe staffing levels
Providing access to mental health support
Recognising the emotional complexity of care work
Valuing lived experience and professional expertise
Building psychologically safe healthcare environments
VMHPAA Secretary Susan Sandy added:
“Nurses often hold space for others in their most vulnerable moments. We must create systems that hold space for nurses in return.” Susan Sandy added.
International Nurses Day is an opportunity to express gratitude, and also to recommit to protecting the mental wellbeing of those who protect ours.
Today, we thank nurses not only for what they do, but for who they are: steady, skilled, and compassionate professionals who make a difference every single day.
Media Contact:
Shane Warren, Chair
Susan Sandy, Secretary
Philip Armstrong, CEO
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