“National Nurses Week begins each year on May 6th and ends on May 12th, Florence Nightingale’s birthday. These permanent dates enhance planning and position National Nurses Week as an established recognition event.” [1]
“The first state to recognize May 6 as Nurses Day was New Jersey, which celebrated the day for the first time in 1978. A few years later with the backing of nursing organizations, New Mexico Representative Manuel Lujan, Jr. put forth a resolution to celebrate May 6 as National Recognition Day for Nurses. The following year, President Ronald Reagan made the proclamation confirming the resolution.” [2]
“The ANA initiated “National RN Recognition Day” on May 6, 1996, to honor the nation’s indispensable registered nurses for their tireless commitment 365 days a year. The ANA encourages its state and territorial nurses associations and other organizations to acknowledge May 6, 1996 as “National RN Recognition Day.” [1]
“As of 1998, May 8 was designated as National Student Nurses Day, to be celebrated annually. And as of 2003, National School Nurse Day is celebrated on the Wednesday within National Nurses Week (May 6-12) each year.” [1]
Why Celebrate Nurses?
“Nurses have made some of the most impactful contributions to medicine throughout history, but even those whose names are not as well-known have left a mark on their patients. Nurses make up nearly half of the global healthcare workforce. They are often the first to deliver care to patients and sometimes the sole providers of healthcare in certain settings.” [2]
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses have sacrificed their physical and mental health to save lives and, in many cases, help patients and families cope with the devastating trauma of death in isolation. Throughout it all, they have worked steadfastly through personal protective equipment shortages, evolving policies, and infection surges. They have continued to give their best even as the communities they serve have, in some cases, become defiant against health measures.”[2]
“Although nursing is an occupation, for many it is also a vocation. For all the passion nurses put into their work and the compassion they show their patients, National Nurses Day is a way for everyone to express their appreciation for the incredible job nurses do.” [2]
A Time to Appreciate
“ANA’s National Nurses Week history is worthy of a grand celebration, and so is the hard work of nurses nationwide.
The level of compassion and commitment required during a national health emergency – and routine patient care – is immeasurable. Praise for nurses is well-deserved.
If you’re a nurse, take some time in May to recognize the positive differences you and your colleagues have made in the lives of others.”[3]
Our special thank you for our RN Cheryl Davis, for the efforts she put in to deliver high-quality work for the organization and clients. We value your presence and we are proud of you.
Resources:
[2] https://onlinenursing.baylor.edu/news/everything-you-need-know-about-national-nurses-day
[3] https://onlinenursing.cn.edu/news/history-of-nurses-week
