Erzurum Technical University (ETU) Faculty of Health Sciences organized a Panel on the occasion of May 12-18 Nurses Week.

ETU Rector Prof. Dr. Bülent Çakmak, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences Elanur Yılmaz Karabulutlu and many academicians and students attended to the program to honor the contributions of nurses to society and to talk about the future of the nursing profession.

Rector Çakmak, who made the opening speech of the online panel, stated that nurses are one of the most important elements in the conduct of health services: "The nurses, who adopt the principle of "Health for All" without discrimination of religion, language or race, are the most active members of the team in providing health services to individuals, families and the community. Nursing is a profession that requires dedication. Florence Nightingale's analyzes and nursing practices significantly reduced the mortality rate at a time when thousands of soldiers lost their lives in the dysentery and cholera epidemics during the Crimean War; It is the most important example of how nurses were on the front line and how effective their services were in past epidemics, and the Covid 19 pandemic has shown this to us again. All over the world, nurses have been accepted as the real heroes of the pandemic and their importance has become more understandable by the society. On the occasion of this special day, I would like to emphasize the importance of quality care and the quality of education and trainer responsible for the training of nurses who will provide this care, as well as the fact that the people who will change and develop the profession will be you, the esteemed nurses and nurses of the future. As I conclude my words, I would like to thank all my friends who contributed to the realization of this beautiful event, and send my greetings and respects.

After Rector Çakmak's speech, the panelists informed the audience about the future of postgraduate nursing education, the future of the nursing profession and the nursing profession from the perspective of students. The program ended with the nurses who took part in the earthquakes in Kahramanmaraş to share their experiences.