What is National Nurses Week? Key Dates, History, and How to Celebrate
Nurses have been making an impact on the world for centuries. Yet official recognition of the nursing profession in the United States is surprisingly recent. It wasn't until the 1950s that efforts began to establish a national observance honoring nurses and their contributions.
With several important nursing observances taking place throughout May, each date offers a different opportunity to recognize the people who make an impact across the nursing profession.
When Are Nurses Celebrated In May?
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National Nurses Month: May 1–31
The American Nurses Association expanded its traditional Nurses Week celebration to the full month of May in 2020, creating additional opportunities to recognize nurses and their contributions throughout the month.
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National Nurses Day: May 6
National Nurses Day marks the beginning of National Nurses Week. The American Nurses Association formally recognized May 6 as National Nurses Day in 1982.
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National Nurses Week: May 6–12
National Nurses Week is the annual week-long celebration recognizing nurses and their contributions to healthcare and their communities.
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National Student Nurses Day: May 8
The American Nurses Association designated May 8 as National Student Nurses Day in 1997 to recognize students preparing to enter the nursing profession.
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International Nurses Day: May 12
National Nurses Week concludes on May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale. The International Council of Nurses also recognizes May 12 as International Nurses Day.
History of National Nurses Week and Nursing Milestones
It took a surprisingly long time for nurses to receive their own national recognition in the United States. In fact, the path to today's National Nurses Week took about 40 years of proposals, proclamations, and advocacy.
Here are a few milestones and fun facts behind the celebration:
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1953: The first proposal for a national Nurses Day didn't make it very far.
Dorothy Sutherland of the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare proposed that President Dwight D. Eisenhower proclaim a "Nurse Day" the following year. The proclamation was never made.
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1954: The first National Nurses Week was observed, but not in May.
The first National Nurses Week took place October 11–16, 1954, marking the 100th anniversary of Florence Nightingale's mission to Crimea. Interestingly, 1954 was also an important year in NEF's history: several nursing scholarship funds were consolidated and incorporated as Nurses Educational Funds, Inc., building upon scholarship efforts that had begun more than four decades earlier.
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1974: National recognition finally became official.
President Richard Nixon issued a proclamation designating National Nurse Week. That same year, the International Council of Nurses proclaimed May 12, Florence Nightingale's birthday, as International Nurses Day.
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1982: May 6 became National Nurses Day.
Following efforts by the American Nurses Association and other nursing organizations, Congress designated May 6 as National Recognition Day for Nurses. President Ronald Reagan signed the proclamation, and the ANA formally acknowledged May 6 as National Nurses Day.
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1993: National Nurses Week found its permanent home on the calendar.
The American Nurses Association established May 6–12 as the permanent dates for National Nurses Week beginning in 1994. The dates intentionally connect National Nurses Day on May 6 with Florence Nightingale's birthday on May 12.
NEF: Celebrating Nursing Leadership Long Before Nurses Week
Every May, the nation formally honors the nurses who care for communities, advance research, and lead the profession forward. Long before these official observances existed, nurses were already investing in each other's success, and at NEF, that is a mission we carry on year-round.
NEF's own history offers a remarkable example.
In 1912, following the death of pioneering nurse leader Isabel Hampton Robb, her colleagues established a fund in her memory to support graduate nursing education. The first Isabel Hampton Robb Scholarships were awarded in 1912–1913.
That means more than 40 years before the first National Nurse Week was observed, nurses were honoring the contributions of one of their own by investing in the education of those who would follow her.
Recognize Nurse Leaders
That tradition continues today. Since 1912, NEF has awarded more than 1,500 scholarships for advanced nursing degrees, helping nurses pursue the education that prepares them to lead, teach, conduct research, and advance the profession.
Celebrate National Nurses Week, Day, and Month by supporting future nurse leaders and advanced degrees in nursing education. Make your tax-deductible contribution today.
Sources: American Nurses Association, National Library of Medicine
FEATURED SCHOLAR
Carolyn Levy
(2019-2020 Winner)
Carolyn Levy is a 2019-2020 recipient of the “Nurses’ Educational Fund Inc. Scholarship”. She is a nurse, student, veteran, small business owner, and volunteer with a passion for lifelong learning. As a pediatr... read more.
Support Graduate Nursing Education
Nurses Educational Funds, Inc. (NEF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established by nurses for nurses in 1912, and since then, the organization has awarded over 1,500 scholarships to support the pursuit of advanced degrees in nursing.
NEF’s named scholarships, created with a minimum donation of $50,000, honor and memorialize nurse leaders, from Isabel Hampton Robb to Thelma Schorr to Susan Bowar-Ferres. 100% of donations help to keep NEF scholarships funded in perpetuity; organization expenses are covered by prudent management of NEF’s investments.