The International Day of the Nurse is celebrated annually on 12 May. It is a day designated to recognize the contributions that nurses make to society, and to raise awareness of the importance of nursing as a profession. Each year, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) chooses a theme to focus on for International Nurses Day. The theme for 2023 is “Nurses: A Voice to Lead – A Vision for Future Healthcare”. The goal of this theme is to highlight the important role that nurses play in shaping the future of healthcare, and to encourage nurses to speak up and advocate for the changes they would like to see in their profession.
Nurses play a crucial role in pain management, and nurse-led pain management has become increasingly important in recent years. Nurses are often the first healthcare professionals to encounter patients with pain. They are responsible for assessing the severity and type of pain and determining appropriate interventions. Nurses have a unique opportunity to build a rapport with patients, and their assessment of pain often involves more than just physical symptoms. Nurses take into account the patient’s emotional and psychological state, as well as their cultural and spiritual beliefs, when assessing pain. This holistic approach to pain management is essential in providing patient-centered care, and nurses are ideally placed to take on this responsibility.
Nurse-led pain management can improve patient outcomes. Effective pain management has been linked to better physical and psychological recovery, shorter hospital stays, and improved patient satisfaction. Nurses who are trained in pain management can help patients manage their pain more effectively, which can lead to improved quality of life. Nurse-led pain management can also reduce the risk of complications, such as delirium and infection, that are associated with poorly managed pain.
Pain management often requires input from multiple healthcare professionals, including physicians, psychologists, pharmacists, and physical therapists. Nurses who are trained in pain management can facilitate communication between these professionals, leading to improved coordination of care. This can result in better pain management outcomes and improved patient satisfaction. Nurse-led pain management can also improve patient education. Education is a critical component of pain management, and nurses are ideally placed to provide this education. They can educate patients about pain management strategies, the importance of adhering to treatment plans, and the potential side effects of medications. By providing patients with the information they need to manage their pain effectively, nurses can empower them to take an active role in their care.
Nurses have a unique opportunity to assess and manage pain, and their holistic approach to pain management is essential in providing patient-centered care. Effective pain management can improve patient outcomes, improve interdisciplinary collaboration, improve patient education, and improve the quality of care.
#EFIC2023 Congress – Pain in Europe XIIIOur next congress will be the largest international scientific meeting on pain in 2023 with many sessions focused on pain nursing and interprofessional pain management. Browse the scientific programme to find out more and register now under the “Allied Health Professional” category for a reduced rate for nurses. Find out more here.
EFIC AcademyThe EFIC Academy provides you with a range of benefits, such as reduced exam and event fees, access to webinars and Q&As and free attendance at the next virtual pain education summit. Via the EFIC Academy you also get access to our online Education Platform, which includes tailored material to the EFIC nurse curricula developed by leading European educators. You can find more information on the EFIC Academy here.
Pain SchoolsEFIC Pain Schools are courses aimed at early-career European medical doctors and allied health professionals who are interested in further developing their knowledge and expertise in the field of pain management. The courses run for 4-5 days and include an evidence-based approach to the assessment, diagnosis and comprehensive management of pain patients. The next EFIC Pain School on Acute Pain / Perioperative and Trauma-Related Pain will take place in Berlin, Germany on 26-28 November 2023 with registration opening very soon. Keep an eye on this page for more information.
EDPN CurriculumEFIC has an interprofessional approach to pain education, recognising the role played by all healthcare professionals in pain management, and has developed a curricula on pain nursing, which can be found here. The curricula form the basis of each of our educational projects.
To find out more about #IND2023, go here: https://www.icn.ch/what-we-do/campaigns/international-nurses-day
