A conference titled "Emphasizing Nurses Strengthens the Economy," the 2025 theme of the International Council of Nurses (ICN), was organized at our hospital as part of the "May 12-18 Nurses Week." The event, held in the hospital's Conference Hall, was attended by the Rector of Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University (KSÜ), Prof. Dr. Alptekin Yasım and his wife Fatma Yasım, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Hafize Öksüz, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences Prof. Dr. Ayten Oğuz, Chief Physician of KSÜ Hospital Hospital Prof. Dr. Sefa Resim, KSÜ General Secretary İbrahim Palabıyık, Professor Medet Korkmaz from İnönü University Faculty of Nursing, Dr. Esengül Elibol from Istanbul Bilgi University, Serap Koca, Director of Nursing Services at the Hospital Hospital, academics, nurses, and students.
In her opening speech, Nursing Services Director Serap KOCA emphasized that nursing is not just a profession, but a sacred duty imbued with dedication, compassion, and love for humanity. Highlighting that nurses touch human lives at their most vulnerable moments, KOCA stated, “We are strong together. Solidarity and appreciation will further elevate our profession.” Expressing her admiration for the tireless efforts of nurses even under challenging conditions, KOCA congratulated all nurses on Nurses' Day and offered her thanks.
Speaking at the opening of the conference, our hospital's Chief Physician, Prof. Dr. Sefa RESİM, said, “As we know, health is one of the indispensable basic needs of an individual. Nurses, who are among the most important professional groups responding to this need, are indispensable to the health system. A nurse is the person who is directly alongside individuals with health problems throughout the entire process, from the moment they seek treatment at a healthcare facility until they leave. The nursing profession is a multifaceted profession encompassing concepts such as love for humanity, selflessness, patience, and tolerance. Nurses not only undertake caregiving roles in clinical and field work; they also serve the health sector as academics, consultants, decision-makers, and managers. Therefore, nurses are present wherever human life is touched and value is added to it.”.
The International Nurses Association has chosen 'Our Nurses, Our Future. Caring for Nurses Strengthens Economies' as its theme for 2025. The 2025 theme focuses on the health and well-being of nurses. Within this theme, the critical role of a healthy nursing workforce in strengthening economies and improving health systems is emphasized. My dear colleagues, you heal our patients by combining your knowledge and skills with love and compassion. We are aware of the sacrifices you have made and continue to make during the pandemic, the February 6th earthquakes, and in the aftermath. As the administration, we are aware that you continue your working lives facing many physical, mental, and emotional traumas, primarily due to the challenging working conditions caused by your insufficient numbers. We want you to know that many initiatives have been undertaken in this area under the leadership of our esteemed Rector. Despite all these difficulties, we are proud of you for fulfilling your duties with outstanding success and dedication.
In closing, I would like to congratulate you, my esteemed colleagues, members of this noble profession who perform this sacred duty, on Nursing Day and Week; and with the hope that we can build the future we desire together, I wish you many more years of good health in fulfilling this sacred duty.”.
KSÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Alptekin YASIM also celebrated Nurses' Week in his speech, stating, “Since the existence of humanity, the nursing profession has maintained its sacredness and has held an important place in every era. Despite all the developments in medicine, the compassion and patience of nurses carry a meaning beyond technology. In our country, modern nursing education, which began with Safiye Hüseyin Elbi, is successfully continued in more than a hundred universities today.”.
Following the opening speeches, the program continued with academic presentations. Prof. Dr. Medet KORKMAZ from İnönü University addressed the themes of professional identity, belonging, and motivation in his presentation titled “To Be or Not to Be a Nurse: That Is the Question.” Dr. Esengül ELİBOL, Assistant Professor from Istanbul Bilgi University, evaluated the contributions of the nursing profession to the health system and the national economy from a multi-dimensional perspective in her presentation titled “The Power of Giving Importance to Nurses in Strengthening the Economy.”.
Following the presentations, Rector Prof. Dr. Alptekin YASIM thanked Prof. Dr. Medet KORKMAZ and Dr. Esengül ELİBOL for their contributions and presented them with certificates and flowers.
The event continued with a musical performance. The performance, prepared by Dr. Ezgi TEKGÜL, Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Fine Arts, and her students, was highly appreciated, and after the performance, the Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Hafize ÖKSÜZ presented the artists with certificates of appreciation.
“Sibel ŞİRİKÇİ, who was awarded the "Nurse Who Left Her Mark in 2024 Award," received a plaque from Rector Prof. Dr. Alptekin YASIM for her dedicated work. Additionally, certificates of appreciation were presented by protocol members to the service head nurses who distinguished themselves through their dedicated work within the hospital. The program concluded with a group photo of all participants.
