Reaffirming Support for Nurses at Nurses Day 2026

Today, we joined the nursing fraternity in Shakawe to commemorate Nurses Day 2026, honouring the dedication, compassion and resilience of nurses who remain the backbone of our healthcare system.

Under the theme “Our Nurses, Our Future – Empowered Nurses Save Lives,” the commemoration highlighted the vital role nurses play in strengthening healthcare delivery and improving patient outcomes across communities. It also created an opportunity to reflect on what it means to genuinely support and empower the professionals who carry so much responsibility within the healthcare system.

In his address, Boitekanelo College Provost, Dr Tiro Mampane, reflected on empowerment as a practical responsibility that must be visible in how healthcare professionals are supported throughout their careers. He emphasised the importance of creating accessible pathways that allow nurses and other health professionals to progress, build skills and advance while remaining actively engaged within the healthcare system.

For nurses, professional development often has to happen alongside demanding work responsibilities. Access to flexible learning opportunities can therefore make a meaningful difference, allowing professionals to continue their education without stepping away from the communities and patients they serve.

In response to this need, Boitekanelo College has partnered with the Botswana Nurses Union (BONU) to advance access to higher education through a 15% tuition discount for registered nurses. The initiative supports a range of undergraduate and postgraduate healthcare programmes delivered through flexible blended learning, designed to enable working professionals to study while continuing to serve.

The opportunity is particularly relevant in a healthcare environment that continues to evolve. As healthcare practice advances and communities face changing health needs, nurses require opportunities to continually strengthen their knowledge, develop new competencies and expand their professional capabilities.

Through further education, nurses can pursue new areas of specialisation, progress academically and prepare for expanded responsibilities within the healthcare system. These opportunities can also contribute to a stronger healthcare workforce, with professionals who are equipped to apply current knowledge and respond confidently to the needs of their patients and communities.

The partnership with BONU therefore goes beyond a tuition benefit. It represents a practical step towards making professional development more accessible to nurses who are already making a daily contribution to healthcare.

It also reflects our commitment to quality healthcare education and training across the professional journey - from preparing future healthcare professionals to creating opportunities for those already in practice to continue learning and growing.

To every nurse, thank you for your compassion, strength and sacrifice. You are the heart of healthcare, and your contribution continues to shape healthier communities.

At Boitekanelo College, we remain committed to standing with you - in celebration, in access, and in your continued growth and future. By creating pathways for nurses to advance their education while remaining in service, we are investing not only in individual professionals, but in the strength and future of healthcare in Botswana.