What is INT’L NURSES’ DAY?

INTERNATIONAL NURSES’ Day is a global celebration that acknowledges and celebrates the commitment and bravery of nurses around the world.

This fantastic event is coordinated by the International Council of Nurses (ICN) to ensure that the invaluable contributions of nurses to the health of people globally are recognised.

The ICN has set the theme for International Nurses Day 2021 as ‘Nursing the world back to health’, with a focus on the ‘true value of nurses to the people of the world.’ Annette Kennedy, the ICN president, has said, “This global COVID-19 pandemic has shown the world the important role that nurses play in keeping people healthy across the lifespan”, and so the day will be focused on the future of healthcare. You can learn more about International Nurses Day 2021 and other ICN events by visiting their website.

When is International Nurses’ Day celebrated?

International Nurses Day is celebrated on May 12 every year, which is also the anniversary of the

birth of nursing pioneer Florence Nightingale.

This year’s celebration is made all the more special as 2021 has been marked as the Year of the Nurse and Midwife, as it’s the 200th anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth.

When did International Nurses’ Day begin?

International Nurses Day has been celebrated by the ICN since 1965. However, it wasn’t until 1974 when May 12 was chosen to celebrate this day, to coincide with the anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale.

How is International Nurses Day celebrated?

Each year, the International Council of Nurses prepares and distributes the International Nurses Day kit, containing valuable educational and public information materials that can be used by nurses around the world.

However, countries around the world celebrate this occasion in their own way. For example, in the UK, there is a service held each year in Westminster Abbey in London, where a symbolic lamp is passed between nurses until it reaches the Nurses’ Chapel in the Abbey, where it is then placed on the High Altar. This symbolises the passing of knowledge from one nurse to another.