- Categories:
- Appreciation
- Tags:
- Career
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every May 6 through 12
- Holiday emoji:
- 👩‍⚕️
National Nurses Week recognizes the invaluable contributions of nurses across the United States every May 6 through 12. These dedicated professionals are the backbone of healthcare, providing essential care, comfort, and expertise. Take time this week to express your gratitude, learn about their diverse roles, and support initiatives that empower nursing.
Want to sponsor National Nurses Week? Learn how
History of National Nurses Week
Once viewed as lowly doctors’ assistants, nurses are now recognized as highly specialized professionals with a wide range of skills. Today, becoming a nurse requires four years of study and extreme focus and dedication. This versatile career with dozens of specialties is a crucial link between patients and doctors.
The advent of modern nursing is credited to Florence Nightingale, who laid the foundation for professional nursing through her tireless work during and after the Crimean War. As a nursing manager on the frontlines, Nightingale introduced hygiene protocols and other measures that drastically reduced infections and deaths in battlefield hospitals.
Today, Nurses work in a wide range of specialties and settings, from school nurses who administer vaccines to highly specialized oncology nurses who assist in life-saving treatment decisions.
To acknowledge the contributions of nurses and call attention to their working conditions, the International Council of Nurses established May 12 as International Nurses Day in 1974. The celebration was extended to a week a few years later, and National Nurses Week was officially born in 1994. Sponsored and promoted by the American Nurses Association, the week-long event highlights the crucial contributions that nurses make to the community.
In the U.K., nurses celebrate with an annual ritual based on Florence Nightingale’s nighttime visits to injured soldiers, which earned her the nickname “Lady with the Lamp.” On May 12, a ceremonial lamp is passed along a line of nurses from the Nurses’ Chapel at Westminster Abbey to the abbey’s High Altar, symbolizing the passage of knowledge.
National Nurses Week timeline
The American Nursing Association officially designates May 6-12 as National Nurses week.
The first independent nursing school in the U.S. opens at Yale and accepts women into the program, an unusual practice at the time.
The Woman's Hospital of Philadelphia begins offering a six-month nursing program, considered the first state chartered nursing school in the U.S.
The first recorded nursing school was established in India in 250 B.C.E. Only men, deemed more “pure” than women were allowed to attend.
National Nurses Week FAQs
When is National Nurses Week?
National Nurses Week in 2027 will be observed from Thursday, May 6, through Wednesday, May 12. It’s a dedicated period to honor the critical contributions and tireless efforts of nursing professionals nationwide.
How many registered nurses are there in the U.S.?
The U.S. nursing workforce continues to grow, with roughly 4.4 million registered nurses actively practicing across diverse settings. Their numbers are crucial for meeting the nation’s healthcare demands.
What is the significance of May 6 and May 12?
The week begins on May 6, designated as National Nurses Day, and concludes on May 12, honoring Florence Nightingale’s birth. These dates underscore the historical roots and continuous evolution of the nursing profession.
Is there a nursing shortage in the U.S.?
The U.S. continues to grapple with a significant nursing shortage, particularly in specialized fields and rural areas. Efforts are underway to recruit and retain more nurses to address this critical healthcare challenge.
National Nurses Week Activities
Thank a nurse with a fresh meal or massage
Nurses work long hours with few breaks and deserve a treat. Send a nurse in your life a surprise meal or spa session to show your appreciation!
Donate blood
If you are eligible, donating blood is an easy way to help ensure our healthcare system has the resources it needs to save lives.
Write a thank-you note to the nurses you know
Write a heartfelt thank you note to a nurse (or several.) Let them know you see and appreciate their efforts.
5 Interesting Facts About Nursing
Nursing used to be all-male
In the Middle Ages, all-male religious orders cared for the sick and dying. Women began playing a larger role in religious hospitals in the 1600s.
Nurses walk a lot
On average, a nurse walks 4 to 5 miles on every 12-hour shift. That's a 5k every day!
People trust nurses
Nursing is consistently rated as one of the most trusted professions in public polls.
Half of foreign nurses are Filipino
Nurses from the Philippines make up 50% of all foreign nurses in the U.S.
Only 60% of nurses work in hospitals
Almost half of nurses work in other locations including schools, hospice facilities, and private homes.
Why We Love National Nurses Week
Nurses are essential
Nurses perform some of the most important daily tasks in healthcare, and National Nurses Week recognizes their tireless and often thankless work.
Nurses work hard
Most nurses work 12-hour shifts with few breaks, often taking on extra work when the need arises. Since healthcare is a 24/7/365 operation, nurses often find themselves working through holidays and important family events.
Nurses know patients best
Because they spend the most time with a patient, nurses have a comprehensive understanding of a patient's history, condition, and treatment.
National Nurses Week dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | May 6–12 | Thursday–Wednesday |
| 2028 | May 6–12 | Saturday–Friday |
| 2029 | May 6–12 | Sunday–Saturday |
| 2030 | May 6–12 | Monday–Sunday |
| 2031 | May 6–12 | Tuesday–Monday |
