International Nurses Day 2025 Our Nurses, Our Future.
May 12, commemorating the birth of Florence Nightingale, has been globally recognized as International Nurses Day. This year, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) has adopted the theme “Our Nurses, Our Future.” Far beyond a ceremonial slogan, this theme serves as a moral and strategic call to action, emphasizing the critical role of nurses in shaping a healthier, fairer, and more humane future.
Health is not merely a medical concern—it is the very foundation of human development and civilization. The future of individuals, families, communities, and even nations depends significantly on the attainment of optimal health. In this context, nurses are not simply technical workers; they are pivotal actors in the health system. Nurses are present at every stage of human life—from birth, growth, and illness to end-of-life care—bridging formal health services with the holistic needs of patients.
Global statistics consistently show that nursing professionals constitute the largest segment of the healthcare workforce. Their contributions are vital not only in tertiary care but also in primary care settings, remote areas, and underserved regions. Even in high-income countries, the sustainability of health systems is heavily reliant on the capacity and quality of nursing services.
Yet, a harsh reality persists. In many middle- and low-income countries, nurses continue to face disparities in recognition, protection, and welfare. They are often viewed as complementary personnel rather than equal partners in healthcare delivery. Basic rights such as fair wages, job security, and legal protections remain an ongoing struggle.
The situation is even more dire in conflict zones and high-risk areas such as Palestine, Yemen, Myanmar, and among vulnerable communities. In these settings, nurses work under severe threats to their safety and security, often without any form of protection. Yet, despite these challenges, they continue to serve with dedication—embodying not only the ethics of their profession but also the resilience of the human spirit.
Meanwhile, nurse migration from stable countries has become increasingly common. Poor working conditions, limited career pathways, and low professional recognition drive many nurses to leave their families—sometimes for decades—in pursuit of a better livelihood abroad. Ironically, many source countries lack adequate policies to retain or reintegrate their most skilled nursing professionals.
All of these realities reveal that the vision of “Our Nurses, Our Future” cannot be achieved without concrete, systemic, and equitable policy reforms. Significant investments are urgently needed in nursing education, training, incentives, and the elevation of nurses’ strategic roles in health policy and decision-making. The future of national and global healthcare systems hinges on our ability to treat nurses not as tools, but as assets—not merely as workers, but as key drivers of a healthy civilization.
International Nurses Day 2025 must serve as a moment not only of reflection, but of action. Words of gratitude and symbolic gestures are no longer enough; they must be followed by real commitment to transform the system. Because in truth, the future of the world is inseparable from the future of its nurses.
As part of that commitment, the Indonesian Contemporary Nursing Journal (ICON Journal) stands as a dedicated platform for the dissemination of nursing knowledge and research. We aim to advance nursing practice grounded in scientific values to enhance the quality of care. Through high-quality publications, ICON Journal seeks to elevate the strategic role of nurses in scientific development, healthcare policy, and professional practice at both national and global levels.
Makassar, 12 May 2025
Saldy Yusuf., PhD
Editor in Chief
