International Nurses Day

International Nurses Day is an annual celebration on May 12 honouring the invaluable contributions of nurses worldwide. It marks the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale, and recognises the tireless efforts of nurses in providing compassionate care and promoting health and wellness in communities.

International Nurses Day: History

The origins of International Nurses Day trace back to the advocacy efforts of Dorothy Sutherland in 1953, culminating in the official declaration of May 12 as 'International Nurses Day' in 1974. Since then, the day has been celebrated globally to pay tribute to nurses.

International Nurses Day: Significance

Nurses serve as the backbone of healthcare services, playing a pivotal role in safeguarding public health and addressing global health challenges.

International Nurses Day serves as a reminder of the essential role nurses play in promoting well-being and improving health outcomes for individuals and communities.

Florence Nightingale's Birth Anniversary

 

Florence Nightingale, born on 12 May 1820, in Florence, Italy, was a British nurse, statistician, and social reformer who was the foundational philosopher of modern nursing. Nightingale was put in charge of nursing British and allied soldiers in Turkey during the Crimean War. She spent many hours in the wards, and her night rounds giving personal care to the wounded established her image as the “Lady with the Lamp.” Her efforts to formalize nursing education led her to establish the first scientifically based nursing school—the Nightingale School of Nursing, at St. Thomas’ Hospital in London (opened 1860). She also was instrumental in setting up training for midwives and nurses in workhouse infirmaries. She was the first woman awarded the Order of Merit (1907). International Nurses Day, observed annually on May 12, commemorates her birth and celebrates the important role of nurses in health care.