Travel Nursing is Our Freedom

Accelerate Action: International Women’s Day 2025

March 8th marks International Women’s Day, a time to celebrate the achievements, resilience, and struggles of women around the world. Since 1911, IWD has called for gender equality, and in 2025, the theme #AccelerateAction reminds us that progress cannot wait. Women in nursing, including travel nurses, have long been at the forefront of shaping healthcare, breaking barriers, and proving that care is a transformative force for change. Travel nursing, in particular, embodies a profound form of freedom—allowing women to take control of their careers, seek new experiences, and challenge outdated limitations on their autonomy. This year, we stand with organizations like the International Council of Nurses (ICN) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in accelerating action toward a diverse, equitable, and inclusive future, where women’s equality is fully recognized.

Have you ever thought about what healthcare would look like without women in nursing?

It’s a thought-provoking question, especially when you realize over 90% of the nursing workforce is women (Canadian Nurses Association, 2021). From the moment you enter a healthcare facility, women are everywhere - providing care, support, and guidance. They are the nurses administering treatments, the midwives bringing new life into the world, the health professionals leading patients through recovery, and the caregivers ensuring comfort in their most vulnerable moments.

Women have been the backbone of what we now know as nursing, for centuries, yet their contributions often go under-recognized and undervalued. Imagine the healthcare system without women - care would be diminished, the human touch would be lost, and our very understanding of care as a human right would be altered. 

Travel Nursing: A Path to Independence, and a Legacy of Caring

Being a nurse is not just about holding a profession - it’s about upholding a legacy of care, compassion, and strength. For women in healthcare, nursing offers the chance to make a global impact in a world that is often dominated by men in positions of power. Travel nursing, in particular, offers women the chance to take control of their life, challenge themselves in ways they never thought possible, and build a community of people across the country. 

The ICN recognizes the importance of women in healthcare and their need for autonomy and flexibility; many find in Travel Nursing. Travel nursing in Canada has become an essential part of maintaining our sense of freedom in the workplace, especially as we fight against barriers to autonomy and independence. For women in nursing, travel nursing represents more than just a job - it’s a path to self-determination and a rejection of the constraints that have often held women back in other professions. 

‘Accelerating Action’ - Investing in Women, Investing in the Future 

Now, more than ever, it is crucial that we continue to empower each other, invest in women’s education, health, and justice—as the future of healthcare depends on it. As women in nursing, you are the heartbeat of this profession, shaping the care that future generations will receive. We cannot afford to allow those in power to undermine our freedom or our rights to access opportunities. We must stand together to ensure that the path forward remains open, that our voices are heard, and that our contributions are valued. The future of healthcare relies on us—on our ability to remain strong, to uplift one another, and to demand the resources and recognition we deserve. Let’s invest in our future, for the world needs the power, wisdom, and compassion that only women in healthcare can provide.

This International Women’s Day, let’s celebrate the freedom that travel nursing provides and continue fighting for a future where women in healthcare are respected, empowered, and unstoppable.

Resources

• International Women’s Day 2025 - Celebrating women’s achievements and raising awareness about discrimination and inequality 

• International Council of Nurses (ICN) – Advocating for nurses' rights and gender equality in healthcare.

• Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) – Providing resources and leadership for nurses across Canada.

• World Health Organization (WHO) – Promoting women's health and professional growth in the healthcare sector.

• World Health Day - to spotlight women and babies’ survival, urging solidarity at a critical moment for global health 

• Select Medical Connections – Supporting travel nurses in finding flexible opportunities that align with their career goals.

• 10 Talks by women that everyone should listen to

• Why Gender Equality is good for everyone... especially men

• Women's Health Research   

Take your freedom to the next level - Join 1000’s of Select Medical Connections Travel Nurses and start your journey today. Apply online, or call us toll-free at 1-877-525-3870.

References

Canadian Nurses Association [CNA]. (2021). Nursing Statistics. https://www.cna-aiic.ca/en/nursing/regulated-nursing-in-canada/nursing-statistics