12/05/2026
Today, on International Nurses Day, I just want to acknowledge every nurse who has given so much of themselves to the people in their care.
Nursing was never just a job to me. It became part of who I am. Through years of caring for others, facing difficult days together, supporting families, and standing beside colleagues through moments that most people never see, I built friendships and bonds that have lasted a lifetime.
I may be retired from the NHS now, but nursing will always remain a part of my identity. I think when you go through the kinds of experiences nurses do together, it connects you in a way that is difficult to explain unless you have lived it yourself.
So today, I want to recognise every nurse, including myself, for the work we do, the compassion we give, the sacrifices often made quietly in the background, and the difference nurses continue to make to people’s lives every single day.
Happy International Nurses Day.