Marking the 63rd anniversary of the historical ‘Schuman declaration’, expressed on 9 May 1950, when the then French Foreign Minister, Robert Schuman, made the first move towards the creation of the European Union, the Europe Day celebrates peace and unity in Europe.
Embracing the on-going design of the EU and Europe, Nurses’ contribution to it relates mainly to the Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualification (Directive 2005/36/EC), designed in 1971, reviewed in 2005, and currently modernised in trialogue (European Commission, European Parliament & Council of the European Union). The political process and policy outcomes make the nursing education strong, solid, effective and, most important, make nurses fit for practice.
Additionally, providing care (including e-healthcare services) needs protocols, standards and guidelines to make sure the process ensures high quality and safe care. The EU legislation makes this possible, as the nurses play a central role by redesigning healthcare systems that will need to change. The EU facilitates this change by exploring good and cost-effective practices which have shown already their impact on patient outcomes.
Therefore, it is important to rise that nurses stay positive even in times of economic crisis and with political environments being challenged. We cannot lose our energy by criticising what is bad. We need to focus on what is good for citizens and upscale these identified good practices relevant for the frontline professionals and for patients.
Finally, the EFN members commit contributing to a Single Market Act embracing key values such as unity, solidarity, equity and …..peace.
