On 26 November, we celebrate the Practical Nurses’ Day. This is an important occasion to honour and highlight the vital healthcare work practical nurses do every single day and for the invaluable contribution to society.
On 26 November, we celebrate the Practical Nurses’ Day. This is an important occasion to honour and highlight the vital healthcare work practical nurses do every single day and for the invaluable contribution to society.
Practical nurses are the heart of health and social care – across Europe. In line with EPSU’s Resolution D 5/11, we at EPN (European Council of Practical Nurses) want to highlight their invaluable contributions, their professional pride, and the need for improved working conditions. The resolution is a clear commitment to strengthening healthcare workers’ rights, competence, and work environment – with particular relevance for practical nurses.
The purpose of EPN is to promote cooperation among practical nurses in Europe, strengthen professional identity and skills development, work toward common educational goals and professional standards, and protect members’ social and professional interests. This resolution reinforces that mission.
The resolution emphasizes the importance of healthcare staff, including practical nurses, receiving clear recognition for their competence. EPSU’s work shows that this is a European movement – where the role of the practical nurse as a qualified professional is central.
EPSU’s resolution highlights the need for ethical recruitment and cross-border recognition of professional qualifications. For practical nurses, this means their competence should be respected and acknowledged across borders – without risking exploitation or deteriorating working conditions. It is a matter of fairness, respect, and dignity.
The resolution addresses the challenge of an aging workforce in healthcare. To retain practical nurses in the profession, a sustainable work environment is required, with:
• Reasonable staffing and workload
• Opportunities for skills development and career paths
• Age-adapted tasks and flexible working hours
• Psychosocial support and time for recovery
This is a European concern. EPSU’s work shows that we face common challenges, and solutions require cross-border cooperation.
Practical nurses deserve more than words – they deserve action. EPSU’s Resolution D 5/11 is an expression of solidarity, respect, and confidence in the future. It demonstrates that the role of the practical nurse is central to a functioning society, and that we as an interest organization, together with EPSU as a trade union movement, stand united in the fight for better conditions.
We salute all practical nurses on Practical Nurse Day, November 26 – for your patience, your knowledge, your care. You are the backbone of our shared welfare.