As countries around the world continue to fight the spread of coronavirus, Australians have thanked the nation's frontline nurses as part of International Nurses Day celebrations.
From video messages from Prime Minister Scott Morrison and celebrities to musical tributes, thousands showed support on Tuesday for the work of nurses.
Australia's chief nursing and midwifery officer Alison McMillan said the best form of thanks people can give is maintaining social distancing measures that have helped keep them safe.
"On behalf of all the nurses across Australia and in fact all health professionals I'm asking you to continue the enormous effort you made," she told reporters in Canberra.
Being on the frontline of the coronavirus pandemic has been bittersweet for the global nursing profession, according to Marion Eckert, a professor of cancer nursing in South Australia.
“The value of nurses has never been more prominent. Every day they are going to work, not knowing if they are going to be infected, or inadvertently infect others. It becomes all encompassing, yet they have to put that aside and focus on the task at hand – caring for others,” she said.
COVID-19 has already infected more than four million people and killed over 280,000 globally, including a rising tally of healthcare workers.
Professor Eckert said that small and large gestures of appreciation have helped nurses cope in these difficult months, particularly in countries where the coronavirus has left an enormous toll.
“People clapping in the streets and their neighbourhoods, supermarkets opening early specifically for healthcare workers, and simple gestures like cafes giving free coffees to nurses are all making a difference.”
The outpouring of appreciation for nurses is not something 28-year-old Ayeza Boxsell has experienced since she first began her nursing career eight years ago.
Nurses worldwide have felt more appreciated as they work on the frontline amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Source: Getty Images Europe
After working as a nurse in the Philippines for four years, she is now entering her fourth year as a nurse in Australia.
“It’s a shame that nurses have been more recognised just because of the crisis, I think nurses are taking on such a big responsibility. I think it’s long overdue to be recognised," she told SBS News.
"Although it's a bit late, I think it's still great because people are still seeing the importance of us nurses and at least we're being recognised now."
She said that she loves being a nurse in Australia and is humbled to be recognised.
Ayeza Boxsell has been a nurse for eight years. Source: Supplied
"Being a nurse is to be someone who takes care of people, not only physically, but in a holistic manner.
“It feels good. It’s great that we’re able to celebrate our profession. We just feel like our profession is being appreciated, especially at his time of crisis due to COVID-19.”
Compared to the Philippines, Ms Boxsell says there is more appreciation for nurses in Australia.
“Compared to being a nurse in the Philippines, I think nurses here are more appreciated than in the Philippines. Even now [Filipino nurses] amid this crisis, they are still not viewed as one of the important professions in the country, they are still asked to volunteer. When I moved to Australia I noticed nurses are more appreciated.”
Being a nurse hasn't been easy, especially working in the paediatrics ward where she sees children in pain, but Ms Boxsell said seeing the positive progress of patients has been priceless.
“I think the best thing is when you see a patient getting better and they’re ready for discharge, when they’ve improved a lot and are really healthy and you can see that you’ve done a really good job.”
The prime minister was among the high-profile Australians to express gratitude for nurses on Tuesday.
"I want to thank our nurses for what you do every single day. You see it’s not only coronavirus, our nurses are in a battle everyday against accidents, burns, cancers, heart disease, schizophrenia, MS and so many other illnesses. And our midwifes are there for every birth, helping mums at that most precious time,” Mr Morrison said in a video posted to social media.
Singer-songwriter Dami Im and comedian Hamish Blake both shared how nurses have made a lasting impact on their lives or their loved ones.
“Last year my friend was in hospital, she was very sick but you made her feel really calm and reassured her every step of the day,” Im said.
Blake showed his more serious side, thanking the nurses who stood by his grandma.
“You were there every day with my grandma for the last three years of her life. You made her feel safe, you made her feel comfortable, you had a lot of funny heated, spirited debates with her and when she did pass away, you were there at the funeral," he said in the video.
Singer Delta Goodrem shared a musical tribute to frontline health workers alongside nurses from Sydney's St Vincent’s Hospital.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits. Testing for coronavirus is now widely available across Australia.
If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080. The federal government's coronavirus tracing app COVIDSafe is available for download from your phone's app store.
SBS is committed to informing Australia’s diverse communities about the latest COVID-19 developments. News and information is available in 63 languages at .
