Publish date: 12 May 2026
International Nurses Day (12 May) is a chance for us to recognise the incredible difference our nurses, nursing associates and nursing students make to people’s lives and their communities every single day.
Read their profiles below:
International Nurses Day: Infection Prevention Nurse Specialist Toni Parker
I am an experienced Infection Prevention Nurse Specialist with 24 years of service at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. I have developed extensive expertise in infection prevention and control, including surveillance, investigation of healthcare-associated infections, and supporting clinical teams to improve patient safety and outcomes.
What I enjoy about my role
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Being able to make a direct impact on patient safety and outcomes
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Supporting and educating staff to improve practice and confidence
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The variety of the role – no two days are the same
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Investigating cases and identifying learning to prevent future infections
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Working as part of a multidisciplinary team across the organisation
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Contributing to continuous improvement and high standards of care
International Nurses Day: Research really can change the direction in which patients are seen
With a long track record of working in Research, Steve says the best thing about his job is improving health through innovative treatments, working to address some of the health inequalities within Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre.
A typical day for Steve would involve planning delivery of the latest trial, ensuring the unit is delivering for our local patient population and overseeing the day to day running of the unit.
What’s special about being a research nurse?
“In an NHS with limited resources, research really can change the direction (remote clinics / digital improvement / new treatment options) in which patients are seen, to preserve for future generations. We potentially offer new treatment options where others have failed.”
What has surprised you about working as a nurse?
“How quickly time goes by. I have been employed within research since November 2008 and have seen the improvements research has made and sometimes it’s the quiet moments when you think … I made a difference.”
International Nurses Day: Following in my Gran’s footsteps
Early Parenthood Specialist Nurse, Amy Steeden-Smith shares her inspiration for becoming a nurse this International Nurses Day.
Amy, who first qualified in 2008 commented: “My gran was one of the nurses who worked here at the hospital when it first moved to its current site from Whitegate Drive. She has been my inspiration, and I think it is because of her that I’ve always had a passion for caring for others.
“I’m so happy she got to see me graduate with my nursing qualification.”
Amy completed her training at Blackpool Victoria Hospital and then went on to work in Edinburgh and Preston before ‘returning home’ to Blackpool where she worked as an intensive care nurse for many years.
Amy added: “I enjoyed the 1-2-1 care that was needed in the ICU, those patients are critically ill and being able to care for them was a privilege. After several years I needed a change for myself so looked at something completely different in Sexual Health Services.
“Working in the community is deeply rewarding, as it enables me to deliver proactive, holistic care that responds to the evolving needs of families. In my role as an Early Parenthood Specialist Nurse, I have been privileged to contribute to the design and development of the service and to witness first hand the positive impact this has had on empowering parents and promoting the best possible outcomes for children.”
Inspired by her gran, who worked at Blackpool Victoria Hospital in a different era and specialty, Amy has carried forward her legacy of compassion, dedication, and commitment to nursing and makes her more determined to make her own meaningful difference to our local families and communities.
International Nurses Day: Our work not only safeguards patients but also protects and empowers colleagues
They shared these insights into their roles as nurses.
“Our collective experience includes emergency medicine, management, paediatrics and orthopaedics. Our main role is to support nurses with the effective management of medicines at ward level, offering specialist advice and governance to ensure safe and effective care.
Our work not only safeguards patients but also protects and empowers colleagues by promoting safe practice, reducing risk, and encouraging continuous learning within clinical environments.
We are lucky to be in a position where we can bridge the gap between Pharmacy and all other clinical areas. On a regular basis, we support pharmacy with audits, incident investigations and teaching across the trust and find great job satisfaction when we provide education and resources that empower.
We enjoy the diversity of our role as every day we encounter new challenges that we collaboratively solve with colleagues, ward managers and the pharmacy team.
Nursing at its core is about compassionate, effective care and a career in nursing can offer various opportunities to enhance your skills and knowledge such as our specialist role.”
