National Nurses Day: What it is and Why We Celebrate
As Nurses Week quickly approaches, May 6th to May 12th, a very important day for nurses is often overlooked. May 6th is often seen as the start of the week, but in fact, it is National Nurses Day. A day specific to celebrating nurses.
What is National Nurses Day?
National Nurses Day, celebrated on May 6th, is the official start of Nurses Week each year. Initially proposed in 1953 by Dorothy Sunderland to President Eisenhower, it wasn’t until over 20 years later that the day was officially proclaimed National Nurses Day.
When is National Nurses Day Celebrated?
National Nurses Day is celebrated on May 6th, coinciding with the start of National Nurses Week, which runs from May 6th to May 12th every year. May 12th is Florence Nightingale’s birthday.
While National Nurses Day starts the week, International Nurses Day ends the week on May 12th.
The International Council of Nurses (ICN) declared International Nurses Day in 1965. Each year, at the start of the week, the ICN prepares a special Nurses' Day kit, including educational and public information, for use. The kits are ultimately distributed on May 12th. Each year, the ICN determines a theme for International Nurses Day. The last three themes included,
- 2022 - Nurses: Make a Difference
- 2023 - Our Nurses. Our Future.
- 2024 - Our Nurses, Our Future: The Economic Power of Care
What is the Symbol of Nurses Day?
There are several symbols associated with nursing, but the oil lamp is specifically associated with Nurses Day. This symbol is directly related to Florence Nightingale, the founder of nursing, because she would round during the night on her patients during the Crimean War.
Why is National Nurses Day Celebrated?
National Nurses Day is celebrated to honor the work of the nurses who care for patients daily in a variety of healthcare settings.
It also honors the nurses of the past and their dedication to the profession. National Nurses Day is the official kick-off to Nurses Week.
Ways to Celebrate Nurses Day
There are countless ways to celebrate Nurses Day. Sometimes, the best way is just to send a thank-you note. Thank the nurses in your life. Nursing is often a thankless job, and something as simple as a verbal thank you or a card can brighten someone’s day.
Other ways to celebrate include,
- Send your favorite exceptional nurse a Bravo or nominate them for a Daisy award.
- Gift the unit lunch to a local restaurant. NOT pizza!
- Treat them to a spa day, including massages and mani/pedis.
- Buy them an after-work cocktail.
- Make a care basket for the unit, including easy-to-grab snacks, lotions, lip glosses, and pens!
- Donate to a favorite charity.
- Donate blood and/or become a bone marrow donor.
- Add an organ donor notation to your driver’s license.
- Volunteer at a hospital as a bedside buddy or in another capacity.
History of National Nurses Day
Dorothy Sutherland, an employee of the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, sent a letter to President Eisenhower in 1953 proposing a Nurses Day in October. Eisenhower never signed the proclamation. Despite this, the first National Nurses Week was celebrated in October 1954. This was the 100th anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s mission to Crimea.
It wasn’t until twenty years later, in 1974, that President Nixon declared National Nurses Week. Then, in 1981, New Mexico declared National Recognition Day for Nurses on May 6th. Promoted by the American Nurses Association (ANA) and supported by the United States Congress and President Ronald Reagan, May 6th was officially recognized and designated National Recognition Day for Nurses.
The American Nurses Association (ANA) started the National RN Recognition Day on May 6th to honor nurses' commitment not just on a specific day but throughout the entire year.
While National Nurses Day is not widely celebrated in most hospitals, it does have a significant impact on the nursing profession. Despite this, there are some great ways to celebrate the nurses in your life. Send a thank-you card, donate to your nurse's favorite charity, or send the unit a midday snack.
Nurses Week
