Nursing has been around for ages, but Florence Nightingale really pushed for it to become a proper profession like it is today. We celebrate International Nurses Day every May to honor her birthday. Florence Nightingale is super famous worldwide for basically starting modern nursing. She did a lot to make healthcare better.
Date
Florence Nightingale was born on May 12, 1820, in Florence, Italy. So, every year on May 12, we celebrate International Nurses Day to remember her.
Theme
The theme for International Nurses Day 2024, as announced by Dr. Pamela Cipriano, president of the International Council of Nurses (ICN), is “Our Nurses Our Future, The Economic Power of Care”.
History
The story of International Nurses Day goes back to 1953 when Dorothy Sutherland, who worked for the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, suggested celebrating “Nurses Day.” President Dwight D. Eisenhower didn’t say yes then. But the International Council of Nurses kept pushing for it. Finally, in 1974, they all agreed to make May 12 International Nurses Day to honor Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing.
Significance
Nurses are super important for keeping people healthy. They know a lot about how our bodies work and all the tough stuff patients go through. They work closely with patients, families, and others to make personalized care plans that help people get better.
International Nurses Day is a special day to appreciate nurses and all they do. They’re like the heroes of healthcare, helping millions of people worldwide. So, it’s a time to say thanks and celebrate their hard work!