International Nurses Day 2026: Our Nurses, Our Future

On International Nurses Day 2026, we celebrate LYPFT nurses, their journeys into nursing, and the compassion, skill and leadership they bring to care.

Each year, International Nurses Day gives us the opportunity to pause and recognise the vital contribution nurses make to individuals, families and communities. At Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LYPFT), it is also a moment to reflect on the diverse journeys into nursing, the dedication shown every day by our workforce, and the difference compassionate, skilled care makes across our services.

Nursing at LYPFT is delivered in many settings, from inpatient and crisis services to community, memory and specialist care. While roles and responsibilities may vary, what unites our nurses is a shared commitment to person centred care, professionalism and advocacy at some of the most vulnerable moments in people’s lives.

Routes into nursing: learning, growing and progressing

There is no single route into nursing, and LYPFT is proud to support a range of career pathways that allow people to develop, progress and thrive within the profession.

Apprenticeships play a key role in creating accessible routes into nursing, allowing colleagues to earn while they learn and to build knowledge and confidence alongside real world practice. These pathways strengthen our workforce and help ensure that nursing teams reflect the communities we serve.

One example is Andrew Walton, Nursing Associate Apprentice, who recently completed his foundation degree while continuing to work in crisis services. Andrew progressed from Band 3 to Band 4 through the Trust’s apprenticeship pathway, combining academic study with hands on experience in practice. Studying alongside practice has helped shape his confidence, professional identity and passion for person centred mental health care, marking an important first step in his ongoing journey into nursing.

Andrew’s story reflects the experiences of many colleagues across LYPFT who are developing their skills, building resilience and shaping long term careers in nursing through supported learning and development opportunities.

Celebrating nursing impact at LYPFT

Beyond qualifications and roles, nursing is about people. Our nurses support patients, carers and colleagues with compassion, integrity and professionalism. They advocate for those who may struggle to have a voice, lead improvements in care, and work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams to deliver safe and effective services.

Their impact is felt not only in direct care, but also in leadership, education, research and service development. This year’s International Council of Nurses theme, “Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives”, captures the importance of investing in and valuing the nursing workforce so that services – and the people who rely on them – can thrive.

A message from Nichola Sanderson, Director of Nursing and Professions

Leading up to today, International Nurses Day 2026, I have reflected on the last year and so much has happened in a relatively short time, sadly we are living in increasingly difficult times, with significant global events affecting us all. Across the world nurses work through conflict, environmental changes, economic and social constraints, all of which challenge us each day. It has never been more important to celebrate the positive impact nurses have globally. I want to use this opportunity to celebrate the extraordinary contribution nurses make every single day to patients, carers, and colleagues.

This year’s International Council of Nurses theme, “Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives”, powerfully recognises the vital role nurses play not only in delivering safe, compassionate, and effective care, but in shaping the future of health and care services. It also highlights the importance of valuing, supporting, and empowering our nursing workforce to thrive.

Nursing is a highly skilled, safety critical profession, requiring dedication, resilience, professionalism, and deep compassion. Every day, you go above and beyond to provide person centred care, supporting patients, families and carers with expertise, kindness, and integrity. You are trusted at some of the most vulnerable moments in people’s lives, and the impact of your work is profound. Your commitment to high quality care and to supporting one another remains truly inspiring. The leadership, advocacy, and professionalism you demonstrate make a real difference — saving lives, strengthening services, and shaping better futures for those we care for.

I was asked recently what makes me feel proud in LYPFT. There was no need to think about my answer. I am incredibly proud, privileged and honoured to be a nurse and of all our nurses in LYPFT.

I want to offer my sincere thanks for the incredible work you do. Please take a moment to reflect on the lives you have touched and the positive impact you continue to make across our communities and services.

You are truly remarkable, and I am deeply grateful for all that you do.