BCOP Celebrates International Nurses Day 2026

Celebrated every year on 12th May, International Nurses Day marks the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth and honours the incredible contribution nurses make across the world. It is an opportunity to recognise the compassion, professionalism, and commitment shown by nursing staff.

This Tuesday 12th May, BCOP will proudly join organisations across the world in celebrating International Nurses Day — a day dedicated to recognising the extraordinary contribution nurses make to people, families, and communities every single day.

Across our nursing homes, nurses play a vital role in ensuring residents receive compassionate, professional, and person-centred care. From supporting residents through complex health needs to offering reassurance, dignity, and kindness during difficult moments, nursing is at the very heart of what we do.

A special day at Anita Stone Court

This year, Anita Stone Court nursing home will mark the occasion with a special day of activities celebrating the history and evolution of nursing from the 19th century through to modern-day practice. Residents, staff, and visitors will enjoy themed competitions, puzzles, food, and activities designed to recognise the incredible dedication of nursing professionals throughout the decades.

Carla Smith, General Manager at Anita Stone Court and a qualified nurse herself, shared her reflections ahead of the celebration: “Being a nurse is not just a profession; it is a commitment to caring for others at their most vulnerable. Each day, we work tirelessly to ensure that our residents are safe, comfortable, and treated with the dignity they deserve."

NHS Nursing values - the 6 C's

Carla also highlighted the importance of the NHS nursing values known as the “6 Cs”, which remain central to care delivery throughout each BCOP home:

• Care – supporting residents physically and emotionally while recognising every individual’s unique needs.
• Compassion – showing kindness, patience, and understanding, especially during challenging moments.
• Competence – continually developing skills and knowledge to provide safe and effective care.
• Communication – building trust through listening, empathy, and clear understanding with residents, families, and colleagues.
• Courage – advocating for residents and speaking up when it matters most.
• Commitment – demonstrating dedication to delivering the highest standard of care every day.

Carla added: “Nursing is not always easy. It requires long hours, emotional strength, and unwavering dedication. But despite the challenges, we continue to show up, support one another, and provide the highest level of care." International nurses day is not just about recognition — it is about appreciation for every nurse who works hard, often behind the scenes, ensuring that residents feel safe, valued, and cared for."So today, we celebrate you — your hard work, your compassion, and your commitment. Thank you for everything you do.”

BCOP's commitment to our nursing profession

BCOP currently employ six nurses who started work as care assistants or carers and have progressed their careers, including one of our Home Managers and one of our Care Managers. At Anita Stone Court Ellie Kington is currently doing a BCOP and Birmingham University apprenticeship studying nursing. We're also proud to support the future of nursing by working alongside Birmingham City University providing trainee nurses with valuable clinical placement experiences within our care settings.

As we celebrate International Nurses Day, we'd like to thank every nurse across BCOP and the wider health and care sector for the compassion, professionalism, and dedication they bring to their role each and every day.

Happy International Nurses Day from everyone at BCOP.