- Categories:
- Appreciation
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- CareerWork
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every March 19
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- 👩⚕️
Certified Nurses Day shines a well-deserved spotlight on March 19, recognizing nurses who enhance their professional knowledge through certification. This day celebrates their commitment to excellence and superior patient care. Take time to thank and acknowledge the vital work these highly skilled men and women do every day.
Want to sponsor Certified Nurses Day? Learn how
Expected Certified Nurses Day Deals
Certified Nurses Day often sees healthcare employers, professional organizations, and even local businesses extend appreciation. While we await official 2027 programs, history shows many offer special discounts or recognition events. Look for uniform retailers like Cherokee Uniforms and Scrubs & Beyond to run sales, and medical equipment suppliers such as 3M Littmann to highlight their contributions. Healthcare systems may host appreciation luncheons, offer professional development grants, or provide gift cards from partners like Starbucks or DoorDash. The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) often promotes educational resources and membership benefits. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as March 19 approaches.
Platform Guide for Certified Nurses Day
Tag National Today (linkedin.com/company/nationaltoday) and use #CertifiedNursesDay. Share stories of certified nurses making an impact.
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Mention @NatlToday and use #CertifiedNursesDay. Highlight the importance of certification in healthcare.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #CertifiedNursesDay. Share inspiring videos or articles about certified nurses.
Certified Nurses Day Hero
Margretta Madden Styles
History of Certified Nurses Day
Certified Nurses Day, created in 2008 by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) in partnership with the American Nurses Association (ANN), acknowledges the milestone of certification for the dedication it represents in professionalism and critical understanding of specialty areas.
March 19 was chosen because it was the birthdate of Dr. Margretta “Gretta” Madden Styles, RN, EdD, FAAN — a pioneer in the area of nursing certification. Dr. Styles began pushing for stricter standards of credentialing to validate expertise in the 1970s. Later, she was instrumental in the foundation of the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Certified nurses are considered clinical experts who have demonstrated a level of knowledge validated by the credentialing boards. They have committed themselves to life-long learning as they are expected to engage in continuous educational opportunities, maintaining a level of up-to-date knowledge in their area(s) of expertise.
As patients, we can rest assured in knowing they have met these levels of competence. Studies show nurses with certifications provide a higher level of patient satisfaction and patient-centered care with lower incidents of medical error. When surveyed, over 90% of nurses agreed their certifications were important indicators of their level of competence and enhanced their professional credibility. They also overwhelmingly agreed that obtaining specialty certifications was personally gratifying and built their professional confidence.
Certified Nurses Day timeline
Phoebe, referenced by Paul in the Biblical book of Romans, is sent to Rome to serve men and women as a nurse — throughout the next 100 years, many Christian nurses converted people through their love and care.
The founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale, is born.
New Zealand passed the Nurses Registration Act in 1901 and Ellen Dougherty is the first nurse in the world to become certified the following year.
The modern concept of travel nursing begins in New Orleans out of the need for hospitals to increase their nursing staffing levels during the annual Mardi Gras festival.
How Businesses Can Celebrate Certified Nurses Day
Local businesses can show their appreciation for certified nurses by offering special discounts or promotions on March 19. Restaurants could provide free meals or coffee, while spas or wellness centers might offer reduced rates for relaxation services. Retailers of comfort items, like ergonomic footwear or compression socks, could also run targeted sales. Healthcare facilities themselves can host recognition ceremonies, provide continuing education opportunities, or highlight their certified staff through internal communications and social media, bolstering morale and demonstrating commitment to excellence.
Certified Nurses Day FAQs
When is Certified Nurses Day?
In 2027, Certified Nurses Day will be observed on Friday, March 19, providing a perfect end-of-week opportunity to celebrate these highly qualified healthcare providers.
How many nursing specialties are there?
The complexity of the medical field continues to grow, leading to an ever-expanding array of nursing specialties. Nurses can pursue certification in areas like informatics, emergency, or wound care, demonstrating their expertise in highly specific domains.
How many registered nurses are in the US?
The nursing workforce in the U.S. continues to be substantial, with millions of registered nurses forming the backbone of healthcare delivery. Many choose to further their careers and impact by obtaining certifications in their chosen fields.
Why is nursing certification important?
Professional certification for nurses signifies a higher level of expertise and dedication to a specific area of practice. It enhances patient trust, promotes continuous learning, and helps ensure that patients receive the highest standard of specialized care.
How to Observe Certified Nurses Day
Acknowledge certification efforts
Becoming a licensed nurse and pursuing specialty certifications requires dedication and discipline. The complexity of the medical profession and the knowledge necessary to successfully render care makes nursing certification critical. We all want to be treated by the most well-trained professionals so, today, let’s say thank you to those who have committed to excellence in nursing care through professional certification.
Encourage future nurses
Today, as we learn about the nursing profession and the variety of advanced training and education it offers, let’s encourage students to pursue a fulfilling career in nursing. People looking for a career change could even consider the variety and relative stability of the medical industry. It’s never too late to chart a new course and career path.
Ask nurses for feedback
Today is the ideal day for hospitals, clinics, and other nursing employers to ask their staff for feedback on ways to improve day-to-day operations and patient satisfaction. Nurses are the eyes and ears in the medical sector so who better to ask for this valuable insight? It will be a win-win because employees appreciate being asked and feel heard when they see they’ve been able to affect positive change.
5 Interesting Facts About The Nursing Profession
Numerous opportunities
It is projected that there will be 200,000 new certified nursing positions created every year through 2026.
Not only in hospitals
While 58% of nurses work in medical and surgical hospitals, they are also employed by private medical offices, nursing homes, clinics, the military, schools, and even general businesses.
Show me the money
The nursing profession is one of the highest-paying occupations.
Walking all day
During the average 12-hour shift, nurses will walk 4–5 miles!
Worldwide shortage
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates there is a worldwide shortage of nurses numbering 4.5 million!
WHY WE LOVE CERTIFIED NURSES DAY
Nurses are our heroes
Nursing is one of the most trusted professions. Nurses have an intimate view of our lives as they sometimes provide care in the most difficult of times. In matters of life and death, heroes emerge and nurses definitely stand out as role models and heroes when we think about the times they’ve cared for us and our loved ones. Let’s remind the nurses in our lives that they are our heroes today!
We appreciate the professionalism
The medical field is constantly changing with technology, innovation, and advancements in treatments. Nurses know they must stay on top of these rapidly changing factors through continuing education and recertification. As patients, we can feel more confident and at ease about the care we receive when our nurses have cared enough to obtain certification.
We want nurses to feel the love
Nursing can be a stressful profession, both physically and emotionally. Obtaining or maintaining certifications means more time and effort on top of a demanding nursing schedule. Let’s relieve some of the stress nurses feel through full-on recognition, appreciation, and admiration today.
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