National Nurses Day

National Nurses Day History

National Nurses Day seeks to raise awareness about the contributions of nurses everywhere. This day aims to acknowledge and recognize their efforts. This day serves as the beginning of National Nurses Week, a week-long observance taking place from May 6th to May 12th. This day also serves to commemorate Florence Nightingale, a renowned nurse who was a pioneer in the world of nursing. Her contributions in the Crimean war and in establishing nursing schools led to the adoption of the Nightingale Pledge in the US. It is a statement of ethics and principles of the nursing profession.

National Nurses Day was established in 1965 by the International Council of Nurses. It was officially recognized in the United States in 1982 by US President Ronald Reagan. It is observed annually on May 6th.

Top 8 Facts for National Nurses Day in 2026

• The American Nurses Association has officially proclaimed 2026 as The Year of The Power of Nurses to commemorate the 130th anniversary of the organization's founding while highlighting the profound impact of the profession on global healthcare
• National Nurses Day marks the beginning of National Nurses Week, which traditionally concludes on May 12 to honor the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale, the author of the foundational text Notes on Nursing
• The 2026 theme for the final day of the observance is Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives., a global call to action focusing on the necessity of investing in nursing leadership and professional autonomy
• Florence Nightingale earned the enduring nickname The Lady with the Lamp during the Crimean War, where her strict hygiene protocols are credited with reducing hospital mortality rates from 42% to just 2%
• A significant annual tradition at Westminster Abbey involves a ceremonial lamp being passed from the Nurses' Chapel to the High Altar to symbolize the transmission of knowledge and light between generations of nurses
• Although a "Nurse Day" was first proposed to the White House in 1953 by Dorothy Sutherland, it was not officially recognized until 1982 when President Ronald Reagan signed the proclamation designating May 6 as the day of recognition
• The week-long observance includes specialized days of honor, such as National Student Nurses Day on May 8 and National School Nurse Day, which is celebrated on the Wednesday of the week
• Statistical data indicates that registered nurses currently make up the largest component of the healthcare workforce, with over five million professionals serving in the United States alone.

In the News and Trending for National Nurses Day

Top things to do for National Nurses Day

• Show your local nurses and healthcare workers support and appreciation. They have been working tirelessly during the Coivd-19 pandemic. Get them a gift basket or write them a thank-you note.
• Explore case studies that highlight the dedication of nurses.
• Watch a touching Nurses Day 2023 video.
• Watch a movie or documentary that focuses on the nursing profession. Here are our suggestions:
  The American Nurse (2014)
  Nurses: If Florence Could See Us Now (2013)
  Wit (2001)