International Nurses’ Day 2025

Posted by Devon Partnership Trust in Learning disability, Mental health, News on 12th May, 2025

Hello, my name is Hazel Powell, Chief Nursing Officer and Allied Health Professionals Lead. Today we celebrate International Nurses’ Day and I wanted to take the opportunity to recognise and celebrate our nurses.

The theme for this year’s International Nurses Day is ‘Caring for nurses strengthens economies’, recognising that a healthy and secure nursing workforce is crucial to overall functioning of health care.

International Nurses’ Day is a great opportunity to celebrate and recognise the commitment of all our nursing staff across the organisation. Thank you for all your dedication and commitment to providing compassionate care.

I feel incredibly privileged to be a Mental Health Nurse and a Learning Disability Nurse and to have worked with and supported many people and families across my career, who have taught me so much. It is both a challenging and yet very rewarding role and requires a high level of expertise, compassion and skill. Every day you work tirelessly to create safe and therapeutic environments to make sure you meet the needs and deliver the best care to people, walking alongside people, often at some of the most vulnerable points in a person’s life. Your unwavering support to the people you care for, and to each other, really does make such a huge difference and changes people’s lives for the better.

International Nurses’ Day is about celebrating you. I feel privileged to be in my new role and to be able to work alongside each and every one of you and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

Watch Hazel's message on our social media channels; Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X (Twitter).

Staff across our services celebrate today, including those on Belvedere Ward at Franklyn Hospital in Exeter. Chloe and Sneha shared their stories about why they love nursing:

Chloe
"From a young age, I aspired to step into this role, driven by a deep sense of care and compassion. Now, every day, I see the impact of my work, knowing that I am making a difference for our patient group, at this stage of their lives—offering them comfort, dignity, and support when they need it most. Being a nurse is not just a job; it's a big personal achievement that I am very proud of, one that reflects my dedication and perseverance. My passion shines through in everything I do, whether it’s providing care, offering reassurance, or simply being a listening ear. What makes it even more meaningful is the connection I build — not just with patients but with their families, working alongside them to ensure their loved ones receive the best possible care. My journey as a nurse is one of purpose, kindness, and immense fulfilment, which I find rewarding every single day."

Sneha
"For me, being a nurse means embracing responsibility—caring for patients with skill, dedication, and unwavering commitment. My role is filled with blessings, offering moments of profound connection, gratitude, and healing. Nothing is more rewarding than witnessing a patient improve, offering them comfort during difficult times, and knowing I've made a real difference. Nursing can be demanding, however, these are the rewards that make the challenges worthwhile."