NURSES were the heroes of the hour yesterday as their commitment to patient care was toasted at International Nurses Day celebrations.

In the Northern NSW Local Health Network there are about 2000 nurses working in hospital and community health roles.

International Nurses Day is held each year on May 12 to commemorate the anniversary of Florence Nightingale's birth.

This year's theme “Closing the gap – increasing access and equity”, highlights the need to provide access to health services, particularly for those people living in rural and remote communities.

The network's chief executive, Chris Crawford, said increasing access to health services had been a high priority over the years.

“Much work has been done in this area and the network has developed some good programs to assist people living in remote communities, so they can get the help they need.

“Nurses play an important role in delivery of this service,” Mr Crawford said.

Acting director of nursing and midwifery Rae Conway said nurses had an important role in achieving health equity.

“Modern nursing has changed enormously, largely as a result of emerging technologies, however, the personal and professional challenges are still there and a career in nursing is a rewarding one,” Ms Conway said.