Around the world, May 12 (the anniversary of Florence Nightingale's birth in 1820) is observed around the world. The day is scheduled to celebrate and highlight the numerous contributions nurses make to society. At some of their families' most difficult times of their lives, nurses care for our loved ones. They may run short of time, but not compassion.
International Nurses Day is a week-long event in Australia, Canada, the United States, and other nations, where it is often referred to as National Nurses Week.
Do you know a nurse? Do you know a nurse? Send a letter of appreciation.
Invite a nurse to speak out about the career at retirement homes, school, and businesses.
To post on social media, use #InternationalNursesDay or #VoiceToLead.
Learn more by visiting the International Council of Nurses website.
History
Since 1965, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) has celebrated this day.
During the Crimean War, Florence Nightingale became a central figure in nursing in the 1850s. She was stationed at a hospital where she was heading a team of nurses that cared for wounded British soldiers. When she first arrived at the hospital, she was struck by the hospital's fragile condition. So, she introduced stringent requirements of care and made sure the wards were kept clean and well stocked with food and medical supplies. Nightingale's experiences led her to campaign for change in health care and nursing. In 1860, she founded the Nightingale School of Nursing at St. Thomas' Hospital in London.
