May 12 marks a special day on calendars across the world - the International Day of the Nurse.
Nursing has always been one of the most courageous, selfless roles but never have we had more reason to celebrate the nurses in our communities as they guard the frontline amid the coronavirus outbreak.
However, as the pandemic plays out, nurses continue to do their jobs in other critical areas from palliative care to paediatrics and much more.
This year is made even more special as 2020 is also the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife, as named by the World Health Organisation.
Typically on International Nurses Day, Mandurah's local hospital, the Peel Health Campus, would host a celebratory function for nurses to connect with colleagues and enjoy a meal together.
Instead, due to the pandemic, this year local nurses and midwives were treated to cupcakes, biscuits and cakes from Peel service providers.
[Nurses] are extremely special and important people working in rewarding, dynamic and at times very challenging roles.
- Peel Health Campus chief executive Andrew Tome
Mandurah musician, Dee Gibbs, also got in contact with the hospital to come in and play her flute for all staff.
"I have in recent years been a patient at Peel Health Campus and the staff were brilliant," she said.
"Nurses around the world are putting their lives on the line. We owe a lot to [them]."
Peel Health Campus chief executive Andrew Tome thanked the more than 400 dedicated nurses that make up almost half of the hospital's workforce.
"Nurses play a critical role in our hospital, and also the health system in general," he said.
"They are extremely special and important people working in rewarding, dynamic and at times very challenging roles.
"Just look at the caring and courageous acts of nurses in response to COVID-19, as they care for the sick and dying around the world. It highlights how important they are. The health system simply could not function without them."
Australian College of Nursing chief executive officer, Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward, said on this special day the college wanted to "shine a light on Australian nurses, and in particular their response to COVID-19".
"We have seen an extraordinary response from our nursing community across the country during this time and we acknowledge and thank them for their expertise, professionalism, quick thinking and tireless work," she said.
"Nurses exist at almost every major point in our life cycle, and at the heart of every health and social issue we have.
"A nurse can quite literally save your life. And will.
"To be a nurse is to choose a life of service to humanity."
