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International Nurses Week 2025 Speech By Julien D. Kentish, BScN (UWI), RN, C.Dir. Theme: “Our Nurses, Our Future. Caring for Nurses, Strengthens Economies”
It is with profound honor and unwavering pride that I join you in celebrating International Nurses Week 2025, under the bold and timely theme: “Our Nurses, Our Future. Caring for Nurses, Strengthens Economies.”
This theme is not a slogan—it is a reality we embody every single day.
As nurses, we are not only caregivers; we are architects of resilience, catalysts of healing, and defenders of public health. We are the pulse of the healthcare system and the heartbeat of humanity.
Across the world, nurses operate at the frontline of every crisis, every ward, and every community space.
From the high-intensity corridors of emergency rooms to the serene halls of hospices.
From bustling urban centers to remote rural outposts.
From shelters, schools, and churches to disaster zones and refugee camps—nurses show up.
And we don’t just show up with skills—we show up with science, soul, and service.
We are the steady hand in chaos, the voice of reason in distress, the silent strength behind recovery. We bridge the gap between life and death, between isolation and dignity.
In many communities, especially within the Caribbean, nurses are the first—and sometimes the only—health professionals a person may ever see.
Our value cannot be measured solely by medications administered or wounds dressed. It is reflected in:
Lives restored
Futures preserved
Systems strengthened
Economies empowered
This year, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) released a sobering yet empowering report, built upon data from national nursing associations, including those from the Caribbean.
This data paints a clear picture: Nurses are facing unprecedented strain—marked by rising healthcare demands, stagnant wages, increased workplace violence, emotional burnout, and chronic understaffing.
Antigua and Barbuda, like our regional counterparts, is not immune.
This is not just a workforce crisis. It is a national health emergency.
Studies show that poor health among healthcare workers contributes to approximately 2% of total health expenditure.
Every time a nurse leaves the profession, the cost of replacement—including recruitment, training, and lost productivity—can reach over $36,000 USD annually.
More alarmingly, 13% of global healthcare spending, equating to $606 billion USD each year, is consumed by the consequences of unsafe care—much of which can be avoided by investing in a stable, supported, and empowered nursing workforce.
That is why the “Caring for Nurses Agenda” by the ICN is so vital.
It outlines seven strategic pillars for reform—ranging from mental health and workplace safety, to education, regulation, and leadership development.
This agenda is not aspirational—it is actionable.
And now, it is urgent.
The benefits are clear:
Healthy nurses mean better patient outcomes.
Supported nurses mean greater retention and stronger workforce stability.
Empowered nurses mean economic growth and health equity.
So today, I issue a respectful but resounding call to action—to our Government, our Ministry of Health, our National Nursing Association, and every stakeholder in health:
We must invest in nurses—not later, but now. Let us move beyond short-term fixes and build long-term solutions that prioritize the well-being of the nursing profession.
Let us design systems that don’t just rely on nurses—but honor them, listen to them, and uplift them.
The economic value of nursing cannot only be seen in GDP—it must be measured in the strength of a society that is healthier, more resilient, and more compassionate because of what nurses do.
To every nurse in Antigua and Barbuda, and to our global nursing family:
Thank you for the hands you hold.
Thank you for the knowledge you apply.
Thank you for the faithful service you offer, day after day.
As a Nurse Leader, a public servant, and a fellow nurse—I pledge to continue championing your voices in boardrooms, policy debates, classrooms, and communities.
Together, let us reimagine a future where nurses are not only seen—but are heard, honored, and invested in.
Happy International Nurses Week. May we never lose the heartbeat of service
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Nurse Kentish always speaks with such passion—very inspiring!
She reminded everyone why nurses are the backbone of healthcare.
Julien Kentish is a true role model. She’s putting purpose behind her platform.
Nice!!
I always look forward to hearing what he is saying whenever he goes up to speak. Very impactful, very inspiring. Our future looks brighter with young Kentish. Keep it up Nurse.
Represent Kentish! That’s the yute who is the future. Much respect.
Sorry to say, that many of our nurses need some intense training in customer service & empathy science. A nurse shouls ALWAYS be empathetic to the patient & try as much as possible to give the patient the professional customer care that is required