Join Macquarie University Hospital as it recognises International Nurses Day with awards and a fundraising BBQ for nursing education at the Hospital this Friday (11 May).

Macquarie University Hospital will mark International Nurses Day by recognising several of its nurses through the Hospital’s inaugural MUH Nursing Awards.

The awards will be presented for outstanding contribution in the categories of clinical care; leadership; education and research; and advocacy and caring.

Macquarie University Hospital’s Director of Nursing Deborah O’Neill said that the awards recognise the professional development and skill mix in the Hospital’s nursing workforce.

“Nurses have always been a key part of high-quality clinical care,” said O’Neill.

“However, the profession has changed significantly over the past decade, with many nurses gaining specialised skills in a medical sub-specialty or a career stream of their choice.

“As a result, nurses are making significant contributions at high levels – including through evidence-based decision-making, reviewing and integrating research into practice, planning and monitoring new programs, and communicating and negotiating with a range of other medical specialists across different teams and contexts.

“Our inaugural nursing awards are a fantastic way to celebrate these contributions and, especially, the calibre of nursing staff that we are proud to have at Macquarie University Hospital.”

The MUH Nursing Awards build on the Dodd Family Nursing Scholarships, a new postgraduate scholarship introduced by the Hospital last year. Both are part of the multi-faceted and long-term commitment by the Hospital to building excellence and best practice for nurses in the private sector.

“Macquarie University Hospital is leading the way in career development for nurses in the private sector,” said O’Neill.

“As a major player in the private hospital sector in Australia, we are actively providing opportunities and raising the bar for the professional development of our nursing staff.”

The day will include a fundraising BBQ and will be held this Friday (11 May), as the official day falls on Saturday 12 May.