The Nurses Who Carried Us: In honour of International Nurses Day

When Barfoot & Thompson’s Gillian welcomed her son Sam into the world, she never imagined how quickly things would change. Sam was born with an undiagnosed heart condition and was transferred to Starship Hospital the day of his birth. He needed open heart surgery and spent the first four weeks of his life in hospital.

“It was an incredibly frightening time for our family," says Gillian. “Just minutes after he arrived he was taken from my arms - struggling to get enough oxygen.”

But in those uncertain early days, it was the nurses who made all the difference.

“The calm, focused efficiency of the nurses was extraordinary. They created a sense of peace amidst the chaos, eased our fear, and reassured me that everything possible was being done for my baby.”

Gillian vividly remembers the quiet moments, especially during the night, when nurses offered a kind word, a listening ear, or even a simple cup of tea.

“When you have a sick newborn, you’re not just doing all the usual “mum” jobs, you’re also caring for someone who’s seriously unwell. There were moments, especially in the quiet hours of the night, when a kind word, a bit of company, or even a simple cup of tea meant everything to me. Even with a supportive family, the road can feel incredibly lonely and exhausting.”

“Nurses are there in a professional capacity, but it’s the empathy and heart they bring to the role that truly makes the difference. Their compassion turned some of my hardest moments into ones where I felt seen, supported, and not alone.”

International Nurses Day is observed around the world May 12 (the anniversary of Florence Nightingale's birth in 1820). The day is set aside to honor and note the many contributions nurses make to society.