On the occasion of the Europe’s Day, the EFN would like to remind the EU Institutions and the EU health stakeholders that the nursing workforce is the backbone of the healthcare ecosystem and the most trusted healthcare professional closer to patients. For their well-being and for the well-functioning of the healthcare ecosystem, it is essential to address frontline needs and fulfil their expectations. For this to be successful , the many challenges the nursing workforce is currently facing, should be addressed immediately.
COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated to all the EU citizens the added value of the nursing workforce to the European healthcare ecosystems, working at the frontline, and provided the evidence that nurses’ competencies are central for the healthcare systems in the EU.
The current war in Ukraine is another huge challenge which frontline nurses are facing. One of the big challenges with the Ukrainian refugees is that most of them not vaccinated, and this is a danger for their lives and the lives of those around them, especially the frontline nurses. This issue has been addressed during the EFN General Assembly in April. As stated by the EFN President Elizabeth Adams “The Ukraine War has turned around peoples’ life and frontline nurses work in Ukraine and neighbouring countries, and as such EFN and ICN have turned around their focus and priorities consequently. Howard Catton and Paul De Raeve have worked very closely to find ways to support EFN members in these very difficult times”.
To ensure a better Future for Europe, it is fundamental that EU politicians and policymakers grasp the frontline reality, pushing for health policies that are fit-for-purpose. Building a resilient EU nursing workforce should be a priority, especially now. We urgently need to focus on the implementation of a resilient healthcare ecosystem able to face future health crisis. To be successful in these ambitious goals, it is essential to take care of nurses, to improve their working conditions, their wages and their education. It is crucial to create the conditions to make sure nurses stay in the profession and can contribute to reach better health outcomes.
On the day of Europe, let’s start to build a better future for all, together with the EU nurses.
Happy Europe’s Day 2022!