Nurses Day

A Look at the History and Celebration of Nurses Everywhere.

What do Nurses do?

Nurses are health care professionals who provide a range of patient care, from diagnoses to treatments, as well as emotional support and information. Nurses tailor each plan of care based on the needs of each individual. The role of a nurse in the healthcare system is to provide patient care. Nurses work with patients of all ages, from newborns to seniors, and no two patients are the same.

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The last couple years have been hard, we can't wait to make this years 2022 Nurses Day much better!

When is national nurses day?

National Nurses Day is celebrated on May 6th (U.S.). Every year, nurses around the world are celebrated for their hard work and dedication, and nursing day is a time to reflect on the history of nursing and all that nurses have done for society. It's also a time to appreciate the amazing work that nurses do every day! This year, we want to take a closer look at nursing day and explore some of the ways it's celebrated internationally.

The History of Nurses Day:

In 1847, Florence Nightingale founded the first professional nursing school in England. She was a nurse and social reformed who pioneered many of the practices that we still use today. She became the first woman to receive an advanced medical degree when she graduated from St Thomas University; she wanted to improve conditions for soldiers during the Crimean War and believed that training nurses would help them better serve their patients. Nightingale is considered the founder of modern nursing and she set the standard for nurses around the world.

In the United States, National Nurses Week was first observed in October 1954, the 100th anniversary of Nightingale's mission to Crimea. May 6 was introduced as the date for the observance in 1982.

In Canada, nursing day was first celebrated in 1965. The Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) declared May 12th as National Nursing Day to honor Nightingale's work. In 1985, the United Nations proclaimed May 12th as International Nurses Day, since this was the birthday of Florence Nightingale. This day now celebrates the work of nurses around the world and pays tribute to their dedication and hard work.

National Nurses Day Timeline

1847 - Florence Nightingale founds the first professional nursing school.

1965 - First celebration of National Nurses Day in Canada.

1985 - United Nations proclaims May 12th as International Nursing Day.

2022 - National Nurses Day will be held on May 6th. 

How Nurses Day is Celebrated:

Nurses in Canada celebrate nursing day by attending events and workshops that focus on professional development. They also attend awards ceremonies to honor the best nurses in the country.

In the United States, nurses celebrate nursing day by taking part in activities such as volunteering, reading books about nursing or visiting nursing homes. Some nurses choose to volunteer at hospitals while others visit nursing homes where they can learn more about the elderly population.

Nurses in the United Kingdom celebrate nursing day by attending conferences and events that focus on professional development. They also take part in awards ceremonies to honor the work of nurses in the UK.

As for Ireland, they've gone fully digital with celebrating their Nurse Day, since their launch of a week-long annual digital campaign on different social media platforms in which they promote the great work of nurses using hte hashtag #celebratenurses.

No matter where you are in the world, nursing day is a time to celebrate the amazing work that nurses do!

Nurses Day Traditions

There are many ways that nurses celebrate the work that they do throughout the year. One way that nurses get together and celebrate is through the weekend called nurse week. During this time, some nurses choose to volunteer at hospitals while others visit nursing homes where they can learn more about the elderly population.

How to thank the nurses in your life

If you want to show appreciation towards all of the nurses that have helped you along the way, here are some ideas to consider. You could give them a gift card, write them a letter, make them breakfast in bed or even send them flowers.

You could also share a picture of yourself holding up a sign that says "Thank you" or "I love my nurses". If you have any pictures like this, post them online so that other people can see how much nurses mean to us.

When it comes to thanking nurses, there really isn't a wrong way to go about it. Do what feels right to you and what makes you feel most appreciated.

Ways to Honor Nurses Day:

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Frequently asked questions

  • What are the benefits of observing Nurses' Day?
  • Observing Nurses' Day allows us to not only commemorate our heroes but also reflect upon the role they play in society. As a result, this day encourages us to continue to improve patient care through education and research.
  • What is the biggest challenge nurses face in their day to day job?
    The biggest challenge nurses face in every day routine is ensuring patients receive safe and quality healthcare. This can be difficult because there are so many variables involved including staffing levels and funding. 
  • When is National Nurses day?
    National Nurses Day in the U.S. falls on May 6th each year. The holiday was created in 1918 by Florence Nightingale as an opportunity to recognize the contributions of nurses across the globe.
  • What does National Nurses Day mean?
    On National Nurses Day, we remember the dedication and hard work of nurses who dedicate themselves to helping others. We also pay tribute to those who have passed away due to medical error.
  • How to observe National Nurses day?
    There are many different ways to observe National Nurses Day. Some nurses choose to attend conferences and events that focus on professional development, while others take part in awards ceremonies to honour the work of nurses. You could also volunteer at a hospital or nursing home, read books about nursing or celebrate by visiting a nursing home.
  • What is the theme of Nurses Week 2022?
    In keeping with the tradition of celebrating the achievements of nurses, the theme of Nurses week 2022 will be "Celebrating the Value of Nursing.''
  • How did Nursing Recognition Day start?
    The first national recognition day took place in 1885 when the American Association of University Women (AAUW) celebrated its centennial anniversary. In 1917, the International Federation of University Women sponsored a conference where delegates discussed the need for a day to recognize the achievements of nurses and the nursing profession. In 1918, Florence Nightingale advocated for the creation of a special day to acknowledge nurses. She proposed the establishment of a committee which included members from the AAUW, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario and the Canadian Medical Association. 
  • What are the International Council of Nurses themes for International Nurses Day?

    ICN themes for International Nurses Day:  1988 – Safe Motherhood School Health
  • 1990 – Nurses and Environment
    1991 – Mental Health – Nurses in Action
    1992 – Healthy Aging 1993 – Quality, costs and Nursing
    1994 – Healthy Families for Healthy Nation
    1995 – Women's Health: Nurses Pave the Way
    1997 – Healthy Young People = A Brighter Future
    1998 – Partnership for Community Health
    1999 – Celebrating Nursing's Past, claiming the future
    2000 – Nurses – Always there for you
    2001 – Nurses, Always There for You: United Against Violence
    2002 – Nurses Always There for You: Caring for Families
    2003 – Nurses: Fighting AIDS stigma , working for all
    2004 – Nurses: Working with the Poor; Against Poverty
    2005 – Nurses for Patients' Safety: Targeting counterfeit medicines and substandard medication
    2006 – Safe staffing saves lives
    2007 – Positive practice environments: Quality workplaces = quality patient care
    2009 – Delivering Quality, Serving Communities: Nurses Leading Care Innovations
    2010 – Delivering Quality, Serving Communities: Nurses Leading Chronic Care
    2012 – Closing The Gap: From Evidence to Action
    2013 – Closing The Gap: Millennium Development Goals
    2014 – Nurses: A Force for Change – A vital resource for health
    2019 – Nurses: A Voice to Lead – Health for All
  • What is the #CelebrateNurse campaign?
    This week long celebration uses digital platforms such as Twitter and Facebook to promote the great work nurses do using the hashtag #CelebrateNurses.

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