Nurses, the caretaker of the sick, are the vital part of a healthcare system. However, these unsung heroes are rarely applauded for the generous work they do. Today’s hospital nurses and administrators need to improve the nursing work environment. This mandate is driven by unprecedented national efforts to address the intertwined issues of healthcare quality and nursing supply. With an aim to highlight the role of nurses in healthcare, Dr L H Hiranandani Hospital for the first time organised a two-day International Nursing Conclave (NurCon 2015) at Hotel Trident, BKC.

The aim of the conference is to highlight the role play of nurses in healthcare. The two-day nursing conclave was inaugurated by Dr. Pravin Shingare, Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) who was the chief guest of the event. The theme of the conclave was- “A cultural shift – moving towards new horizons”. The theme underscores the significance of a nurse in a hospital as ‘care’ in healthcare falls into the domain of the nurses. The theme also urges nurses to move beyond the traditional role of nursing and pre-empt the needs of the patient. It reinforces the fact that global health cannot be achieved without nurses’ participation at all levels of the healthcare system.

The international conference brought together nursing experts from different hospitals including Jupiter Hospital, Mumbai, P. D. Hinduja National Hospital, Breach Candy Hospital Trust, Aster Medcity, Kochi.

Topics of discussion included transformational leadership, nursing governance, accreditation and nursing excellence, nursing environment, reformation in nursing education, nursing practice - experience based etc.

The topics have been thought through intelligently, to bring out the essence of what and how the present and future of nursing should be. Some of the eminent personalities who participated in the conference were- Dr. Aniruddha Malpani, consultant IVF specialist who spoke on 'Motivation - A key factor', Prof. Jaya Kuruvilla, principal / professor - College of Nursing who spoke on 'Reforms in Basic Nursing Education', Gracy Mathai, chief quality consultant in Aster DM Healthcare, Kochi who spoke on 'Strategies - Ensuring Quality in Nursing'. There was also an international speaker- Dr Gilly Smith, manager quality and risk for a large private hospital in Western Australia who spoke on 'Nursing Governance' in a video conference. The conclave also witnessed valuable inputs on challenges that nurses face, hospital design, functioning, occupational safety, stress management and many other relevant contents for nurses.
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“This is the first time the hospital is organising an event for the nurses. Nurses today have diversified and become dynamic to adapt to the changing healthcare scenario. Nurse is not only an integral part of the healthcare team but also takes up the role of being a brand ambassador, promoting herself/ himself. Nurses are vital asset of a healthcare setting and need to imbibe the role of being an intraprenuer. Therefore an organisation needs to value these assets and grow them into nurse leaders. A nurse no longer needs,” said Dr. Sujit Chatterjee, CEO, Dr. L H Hiranandani Hospital.

“The idea is to felicitate the efforts and hard work contributed by nurses as they are an inter face to the patients and thus, the brand ambassadors for the hospitality of the hospital. The recovery of a patient to a large extent is because of the efforts of the nurse and the nursing profession deserves that credit,” said Dr. Pravin Shingare.

“We are witnessing many changes in access to health care services in our evolving healthcare delivery system, and nurses have a pivotal role through strategic collaborations in advancing truly holistic, integrated models of health care,” he further added addressing the audience.

The conclave focused on how the demands associated with nursing practice require a broad knowledge base and critical thinking abilities along with competent skills. The focus of nursing is shifting towards viewing patients as collaborative beneficiaries rather than passive recipient of care. Nursing requires psychological, social and physical skills and certain attitudes which are rooted in knowledge base for decision making, critical thinking abilities and skills in the technological aspects of care. This session aims to provide a mantra in improving the work environment within the organisation with topics like emotional intelligence, motivation a key factor and methods to enhance work place culture.