National Nurses Day 2023: Date, History, Facts, Activities

Florence Nightingale, or “The Lady With the Lamp” as she is more commonly known, founded modern nursing at the close of the 19th century. In caring for wounded soldiers during the Crimean War, Nightingale and her assistants reduced the mortality rate from 42% to 2% by strictly adhering to hand-washing and sanitation practises. This marked the beginning of modern nursing. National Nurses Day is observed on May 6 to acknowledge the vital role nurses play in our lives.

The background of National Nurses Day

National Nurses Day begins National Nursing Week, which ends on Florence Nightingale’s birthday, May 12. However, the week was first celebrated in the United States in October 1954 to commemorate the centenary of Nightingale’s pioneering work in Crimea.

Dorothy Sutherland of the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare requested that President Eisenhower declare a “Nurse Day” in October of the following year to coincide with the anniversary. Despite the President’s inaction, the celebration was observed due to a bill sponsored by Representative Frances P. Bolton. The following year, a new bill was submitted in Congress advocating for the celebration’s official recognition.

In February 1974, twenty years later, President Nixon proclaimed National Nurse Week to be held annually in May. In the ensuing eight years, numerous nursing organisations, including the American Nurses Association (ANA), rallied to support proposals for a “National Recognition Day for Nurses” on May 6, which was eventually declared by President Ronald Reagan in 1982.

With over 3 million active nurses in the United States, nurses constitute the largest proportion of the country’s healthcare workforce. Nurses are more likely than construction workers to incur a back injury during a shift, and they walk an average of 5 kilometres per shift because caring for others’ health is such an active job!

If you believe that nurses are only located in hospitals, you are mistaken! The majority of registered nurses (59%) work in settings other than hospitals, such as nursing homes and home visits. National Nurses Day is the ideal occasion to express your appreciation for their significant contributions to maintaining the happiness and health of people across the globe.

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NATIONAL NURSES DAY ACTIVITIES

Gratitude to the nurses in your life

Nursing is commonly perceived as a “behind-the-scenes” occupation. A straightforward “thank you for all you do” could brighten a nurse’s day by demonstrating that you appreciate their efforts. With more than 3 million registered nurses in the United States, there is likely at least one nurse who would be delighted to receive your appreciation.

Give caffeine as a gift

Nurses frequently work lengthy, thankless shifts, standing for 12 hours or more per day. There is nothing better than a caffeine boost in the midst of a shift for a busy nurse. National Nurses Day is on May 12, so visit your local clinic or hospital with plenty of coffee and inform the receptionist you’re there to honour the nurses.

Learn about the woman accountable for everything

Everyone has heard of Florence Nightingale. But do you know her claim to fame? In honour of National Nurses Day, study this pioneering woman who paved the way for contemporary nursing. Better yet, view a documentary about “The Lady with the Lamp.” Extra credit if you can then recite the Florence Nightingale Pledge!

5 FACTS ABOUT FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE

Florence was proficient in English, French, German, and Italian, and she also possessed a solid command of Latin and Ancient Greek.

Linda Richards attended Bellevue Training School before travelling to London to receive nursing training from Florence Nightingale at her School of Nursing.

Like her older sister, Parthenope, Nightingale’s parents gave her the name of the Italian city in which she was born.

Back then, it was viewed as a profession for the lower classes and was associated with prostitution, so convincing Mom and Dad was difficult.

Nightingale rescued her adored owl from a group of children playing in the street and had it stuffed after it passed away.

NATIONAL NURSES DAY DATES