Numerous representatives from Akureyri Hospital are participating in the conference, and their contributions and research can be read in the conference proceedings, available here: Nursing 2025 – Proceedings (link).

Hildigunnur Svavarsdóttir, CEO of Akureyri Hospital, delivered the following address at the opening of the conference yesterday:

Dear Nurses,

It is both a true pleasure and a distinct privilege to stand here today – both as the CEO of Akureyri Hospital and as a nurse by training.

I decided at only eight years old that I wanted to become a nurse – just like my mother – and I followed through on that decision

I studied at the University of Akureyri, began my career in nursing, and envisioned my future at the emergency department here in Akureyri. Working there was immensely educational. I found the job both rewarding and enjoyable – and that experience is still precious to me. My path soon led me into management, where I have now worked for over 20 years.

Still, my background as a nurse has given me valuable insight into clinical reality, and that insight has been invaluable in my role as a leader in healthcare. It reminds me every single day that behind every chart, every report, and every financial decision is a person – a patient who relies on us, and a nurse standing by their side.

Looking back, I remember clearly that the greatest strength of nursing lay in collaboration – or teamwork, as we call it today. Nursing is never a solitary profession – it is built on cooperation, whether with doctors, nursing assistants, other healthcare staff, the patients themselves, or their families. It made a deep impression on me to see how good teamwork and empathy could change a patient’s experience. That lesson has stayed with me throughout my career – also in leadership.

We all know that nursing is not just a job.
It is a cornerstone of the healthcare system, the heart and lifeline of the service. You care for patients from the very first moment until the very last – and in that lies both professional expertise and human closeness that no other group can provide in the same way.

What characterizes nurses is versatility. You can do so much – often more than you realize.

You are not only:

• clinical experts,

• but also mentors,

• encouragers,

• motivators,

• and even pioneers.

You work in many settings:

• in inpatient wards,

• in emergency departments,

• in primary care,

• in management,

• in teaching and research.

Everywhere, you place professionalism and humanity first. It is this diversity that makes nursing invaluable for patients and society. Nurses, in other words, are present wherever people’s health and quality of life matter. In this way, the profession is both a pillar of the healthcare system and an important voice in the public conversation about health.

We also know that the past years have been difficult. The workload has been heavy – and all indications are that much will continue to be demanded of us. Yet every day you show up – professional, focused, and ready to care for those who depend on you. That resilience has few parallels. But we must also face the fact that such pressure is not sustainable.

That is why it is our joint task to work towards sensible staffing standards. And as the association’s chair pointed out, this must be made a priority – ensuring that healthcare institutions receive both the funding and the authority to recruit based on professional needs. Only then can nurses carry out their work with integrity – without compromising their own health or well-being.

We also know that no one can give endlessly without support. Burnout is a real risk in our profession, and we must take it seriously. Promoting nurses’ well-being is not a luxury – it is a prerequisite for safe patient care. This is not only a professional requirement but also an ethical obligation. Good working conditions for staff mean better services for patients. Nursing is the key to safe, high-quality, holistic care. Without strong nursing, there is no reliable healthcare system.

The future is in our hands. You who are here today play a vital role in shaping the next generation of nurses. We must make nursing an attractive choice for young people – and we must stand together in mentoring and supporting those taking their first steps. You who are here are role models and shape the profession by the way you practice and how you welcome newcomers. In this way, we build a strong future.

Nursing is also an ever-evolving profession. We see new opportunities with digital solutions, artificial intelligence, and new forms of treatment. The role of nurses has never been more diverse, and the skills you possess make you key players in shaping the healthcare of the future.

We are not alone in facing these challenges.
The World Health Organization has warned of a global nursing shortage. This is a reminder that the struggle – for staffing, recognition, and conditions – is not confined to Iceland. We are part of a larger picture, and we can both learn from the experiences of other countries and share our own.

But as we move forward, we must never lose sight of the core. Nursing is built on human compassion – on seeing the patient as a person and meeting them with respect and warmth. This has always been and always will be the heart of the profession – and what makes nursing indispensable.

I want to take this opportunity to simply say: thank you.

• Thank you for your professionalism and dedication.

• Thank you for standing your ground in difficult circumstances.

• Thank you for your smile – even after a long day.

• Thank you for being the voice of those who cannot speak for themselves.

• And thank you for keeping nursing alive – despite the challenges.

The future will be demanding – but it is also full of opportunities. With your strength, professionalism, and compassion, we can not only meet the challenges ahead but also create a better, fairer, and stronger healthcare system. Together we can build the future.

Dear nurses – you are not only important – you are indispensable.

Thank you – and may this conference be an inspiration to us all to continue doing great work together.