Nurses' contributions in enhancing the public's health during times of crisis is time immemorial. Nurses work hard, serving as front line workers at the time of some of the world's most current infectious disease outbreaks like H1N1 Swine Flu, Ebola, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). From caring the affected patients to leading public health maneuvers, nurses are working around the clock to guard the health and comfort of patients and the public. Public health nurses have by tradition have been identified for their efforts at the times of a public health crisis. Now the nurses in acute care settings are engaging in evidence-based public health methods to prevent disease and care for patients. Present day nurses are guiding response teams with skill and proficiency in cases of predictive modeling, hospital and field operations, disaster preparedness, human resource management and others. Majority of nurses have never been confronted with challenges of such magnitude during their nursing careers. But now nurses are dealing with the current pandemic situation with expertise in health care.
Nurses are our greatest strength during this crisis, they are not excused from experiencing unintended consequences such as accidental exposure to the virus or physical and psychological exhaustion. Despite of the advances in health care and technology, any progress in successfully combating the COVID-19 virus would not be adequate without the skilled and compassionate care of nurses. Nurses will always be on the front lines caring for the world which is beyond our current global pandemic. The existence of nursing is a real reason for celebration, both during and even after the Year of the Nurse and Midwife.
In this circumstance where every country is struggling with the pandemic and health care crisis the Malaysian Journal of Nursing plays a crucial role in representing the voice of the nurses to the world stage.
Datuk Prof. Dr. Hjh. Bibi Florina Abdullah