National Nurses Day and Nurses Week
About National Nurses Day and Nurses Week
In addition to National Nurses Day and National Nurses Week, there are several other days to recognize this vital professional career. National Nurses Week, and several specific Nurses Days during this week, provide recognition to these professional medical caregivers for their contributions and commitment to quality health care. It brings awareness to their importance in the care, comfort, and well-being of all of us, especially our children and the aging, and those in poor health.
Thought for Today: Emergency room nurses have heard a lot of deathbed regrets, but they’ve never heard someone say: ” I wish I’d spent more time at work.” Author Unknown
When is National Nurses Day? This holiday is always observed on the last Monday in May
There’s no shortage of holidays for the women and men who provide medical care and comfort with a healthy dosage of TLC.
- May 6-12: National Nurses Week. It ends on the birthday of Florence Nightengale.
- May 8: National Student Nurses Day
- May 6th: National Nurses Day
- Wednesday of Nurse’s Week: School Nurses Day
- May 12: International Nurse’s Day
- November 14: Operating Room Nurse Day
Famous Nurses
Here are some of the most famous people in nursing history. And, it may surprise you to know that one of them is a male!
Florence Nightingale – Beyond a doubt, she is the most famous of the group. She is the founder of modern nursing. During the Crimean War, she made significant improvements in the medical care and sanitation for wounded soldiers.
Clara Barton – Often called the Florence Nightingale of America”, she provided nursing service during the Civil War. Ultimately, Barton was put in charge of Union hospitals during the war. She founded the American Red Cross.
Mary Breckinridge – She is well known for providing nursing services to the poor in rural Kentucky. And, she provided nursing support for pregnant women in Europe following World War I..
Loretta C. Ford – She founded the first nurse practitioner program.
Walt Whitman – Best known as a poet, Whitman served as a nurse during the Civil War.
Mary Eliza Mahoney – She was the first African American to receive a nursing license.
These are just a few of the many people who made significant impacts on the world of nursing and medical care. The list could go on and on.
How to Celebrate National Nurses Day
Here are some ideas on how you can celebrate and participate in this holiday:
- Show your thanks and appreciation to everyone involved in the field of nursing.
- You can send them cards or Ecards.
- However, just a simple, spoken “thank you” will do.
- Consider a career in nursing.
- Post your appreciation on social media.
Today's Quote
“Constant attention by a good nurse may be just as important as a major operation by a surgeon.” – – Dag Hammarskjold
History and Origin of National Nurses Day
The roots of International Nurses Day goes back to 1953, when Dorothy Sutherland of the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare sent a proposal to President Eisenhower to proclaim a “Nurse Day” in October of the following year. The proclamation was not officially made. But, this day was born and eventually gained national recognition.
International Nurse Day is celebrated on May 12, because this it’s the birthday of Florence Nightingale.
In 2003, National School Nurses Day was moved from the fourth Wednesday in January to the Wednesday of Nurses Week. Many websites, still record School Nurses Day in January, unaware of this change.
More About Today
Recipe of the Day: Vegetable Kabobs
Flower of the Day: Carnations
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Did You Know? In addition to National Nurses Day, there are literally thousands of daily holidays, special events, and observances, more than one for every day of the year. Many of these holidays are new. People and organizations are creating new holidays regularly. Consequently, at Holiday Insights, we take great efforts to thoroughly research and document the details of each one, as completely and accurately as possible.