Until International Nurses Day are 24 days.
In 2025 International Nurses Day is on 12th May (Monday).
International Nurses' Day is a feast celebrated annually on May 12th established by the International Council of Nurses at the Congress in Mexico in 1973. The same day is the anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale, the the English founding figure of modern nursing. Many people believe that doctors are the cornerstone of the healthcare system. Nothing could be further from the truth! Nurses around the world play an important role in all medical institutions, ensuring patients well-being, safety and rapid recovery. That is why International Nurses Day is an excellent opportunity to honour the contribution made by Nurses to patient care. In Australia, the United States and other countries, International Nurses Day is often part of a week-long celebration, commonly known as National Nurses Week.
History of International Nurses Day
The whole story began in 1953, when Dorothy Sutherland, a U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare official, made contact with President David Dwight Eisenhower to consider establishing „International Nurses Day”. However, he did not accept the Sutherland's previous proposal during this time period. The International Council of Nurses organized for the first time the celebration of this feast on May 12th 1965.
May 12th is a significant date for all nurses because it is Florence Nightingale's birthday anniversary, who is widely regarded as the precursor of modern nursing. In January 1974 this day was formally approved as International Nurses Day. From that moment, the International Council of Nurses manufactures and distributes an annual International Nurse Day Kit, which contains educational and informational materials to highlight the work of nurses around the world, who contribute not only to the improvement of patient health but also to the development of health care. Gala events and conferences held in the district nurses chambers are also a great opportunity to appreciate the daily contribution to the patient, but also an expression of a strong sense of professional identity.
Did you know?
In 1998, May 8th was established as International Sudents Nurses Day. And since 2003, the National Student Nurses Day has been celebrated annually on Wednesday as part of National Nurses Week (6-12 May).