I don’t know about you, but this competition was totally under my radar….sad but true, it again illustrates the lack of fanfare that  seems to accompany most things nursing, unless it is media worthy-i.e., strike action or involving murder, mayhem, litigation or scandal. What a great opportunity for nursing to raise the profile of of the profession, to educate the public as to the specialist expertise, skill, knowledge and dedication required to be a successful nurse. But nope- haven’t heard more than a whisper on the major news waves….or maybe I have just been distracted by the holiday season.

So now that we know about it, let’s at least vote for those nurses nominated. And congratulate those organisations/individuals who nominated them in the first place!

“One of the key findings of Health Cheque, was that it was the hard working nurses that were largely holding the public health system together.” Gareth Morgan- Health Cheque

Sadly for nursing, Marion was one of two nursing recipients on the Honours List, despite us all knowing of the many nurses out there working hard for patients and communities. Perhaps that is a sad reflection on the invisibility of nursing. I am sure the proponents of the silence of nurses voices, Suzanne Gordon for example, would agree with this sentiment.

Great to see nurses acknowledged at those kiwi icons-the Topp Twins -concert last week.Mind you, she had to have her purseknapped by the duo first!