On behalf of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, I pay tribute to the hard work and diligence of Australia’s 330,000 registered nurses and midwives.
The board recognises that May is an important month in both professions’ calendar because it included International Midwives Day on May 5 and International Nurses Day on May 12. These are perfect opportunities to reflect on the contribution of nurses and midwives to the health care of the Australian community.
In 2011 the theme for International Nurses’ Day is ‘Closing the gap: Increasing equity and access’.
In Australia, the board plays a key role in the nursing and midwifery professions by regulating the professions in the public interest as part of the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme.
Our job description is very simple: protect the public by making sure only qualified practitioners who can provide safe care are registered to practise.
More than 260,000 nurses and midwives across Australia are due to renew their registration between now and June 30.
I urge all nurses and midwives to check when their registration is due and renew online, on time, at www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au This way they will make sure they stay registered and can keep providing safe and professional nursing and midwifery care to the community.
Ms Anne Copeland
Chair
Nursing and Midwifery
Board of Australia