National Nurses Week 2023 – Learning The History

Every year, May 6 to May 12, which also happens to be Florence Nightingale‘s birthday, is National Nurses Week. These fixed dates make organizing easier and establish National Nurses Week as a recognized celebration. Since 1998, May 8 has been recognized as National Student Nurses Day and is now observed on that day every year. Since 2003, National School Nurse Day has been observed on the third Wednesday of National Nurses Week (May 6–12).

Since 1896, the American Nurses Association (ANA) has supported and promoted the nursing profession. The state and local levels are where each of the ANA’s state and territory nurse associations works to advance nursing. On these days, each holds ceremonies to honor the contributions nurses and nursing provide to the community.

The National Nurses Week Recognition Programs are supported and encouraged by the American Nurses Association (ANA) in collaboration with state and district nurse associations, other specialty nursing organizations, educational institutions, and independent healthcare organizations.

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A Brief History Of National Nurses Week

1953 A proposal to declare a “Nurse Day” in October of the next year was sent to President Eisenhower by Dorothy Sutherland of the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. The announcement was never made.

1954 The dates of National Nurse Week were October 11–October 16. The celebration was held in the year that was the 100th anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s trip to the Crimea. The bill establishing a nurse week was introduced by Representative Frances P. Bolton. A National Nurse Week measure was reportedly submitted in the 1955 Congress, but nothing came of it. Congress has abandoned joint resolutions for several types of national weeks.

1972 The House of Representatives once more submitted a resolution asking the President to declare May 1 as “National Registered Nurse Day.” It didn’t happen.

1974 That year, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) declared that May 12 would be “International Nurse Day.” The birth date of Florence Nightingale is May 12th. “International Nurse Day” has been observed by the ICN since 1965.

1974 The White House proclaimed a week in February of that year as National Nurse Week, and President Nixon signed a proclamation to that effect.

1978 Brendon Byrne, the governor of New Jersey, designated May 6 to be “Nurses Day.” Red Bank, New Jersey resident Edward Scanlan took up the fight to keep nurses respected in his state. This day was noted in the Chase Calendar of Annual Events by Mr. Scanlan. On his own, he publicized the event.

1981 the American Nurses Association (ANA) joined forces with other nursing groups to support a motion put forth by nurses in New Mexico through their congressman, Manuel Lujan, to designate May 6 as “National Recognition Day for Nurses.”

1982 The ANA Board of Directors officially recognized May 6, 1982, as “National Nurses Day” in February. By taking this move, the US Congress officially proclaimed May 6 to be “National Recognition Day for Nurses.”

1982 A proclamation establishing May 6 as “National Recognition Day for Nurses” was signed by President Ronald Reagan on March 25.

1990 By designating May 6–12, 1991, as National Nurses Week, the ANA Board of Directors extended the celebration of nurses to a full week.

1993 The ANA Board of Directors established May 6–12 as the official dates for National Nurses Week beginning in 1994 and continuing every year after.

1996 On May 6, 1996, the ANA established “National RN Recognition Day” to recognize the nation’s critical registered nurses for their selfless dedication throughout the year. The American Nurses Association (ANA) urges other organizations to observe May 6, 1996, as “National RN Recognition Day.”

1997 National Student Nurses Day was declared on May 8 by the ANA Board of Directors at the National Student Nurses Association’s request.