On 18 November, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) once again marked the European Antibiotic Awareness Day (EAAD), a cornerstone in Europe’s collective fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The EFN proudly joined this year’s campaign, reaffirming its commitment to supporting nurses and all healthcare professionals at the frontline of patient care.
Nurses are uniquely positioned to transform resistance into resilience. Through education, prevention, and advocacy, they play a decisive role in ensuring the responsible use of antibiotics and in building safer healthcare environments. Yet, to sustain this contribution, nurses must be equipped with adequate staffing levels, continuous training, and the legal frameworks that enable them to prescribe and act at the highest level of their competence.
The EFN continues to urge policymakers across the EU to strengthen infection control systems, promote nurse prescribing, and ensure safe working conditions. These measures are not only essential to protecting patients but also to achieving the EU’s 2030 targets for reducing antimicrobial consumption and resistance.
Together, by empowering healthcare professionals and investing in nursing resilience, we can safeguard the effectiveness of antibiotics and protect the health of future generations.