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 renown 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 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.