International Day of Nurses
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The International Day of Nurses (obsolete International Day of Nurses, English: International Nurses Day) is an internationally committed day of action that is celebrated annually on May 12. It commemorates the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the pioneer of modern nursing.
Background
Plans for a Nurses Day were first floated in 1953 by Dorothy Sutherland, a US Department of Health and Human Services official. However, then US President Dwight D. Eisenhower refused to proclaim him. The International Council of Nurses (ICN) finally took the lead and celebrated the day since 1965. Since January 1974 the day has also been officially set for May 12th. It is intended to recognize the work of nurses and highlight their role in the healthcare system. In Germany, it was initially also called International Day of Nurses, but was then renamed International Day of Nurses.
May 12 is intended to commemorate the birthday of Florence Nightingale in 1820, who is considered the founder of modern western nursing. Actions are taking place around the world around the day of action. A fair for nurses is held annually in London's Westminster Abbey. In some countries there is an action week. In the United States, National Nursing Week occurs from May 6th to 12th, while Canada always takes the week that includes May 12th. The day is also associated with demands on politicians to improve the nursing situation. The ICN issues educational and promotional materials for the day to draw attention to the great achievements of nurses around the world. The ICN also has a different motto for the day. 2020 was a special year for International Nurses Day. Not only did 2020 mark Florence Nightingale's 200th birthday, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared 2020 the Global Year of the Professional Nurse and Midwife. The day of action this year coincided with the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Past Mottos
1988 - Safe Motherhood
1989 - School Health
1990 - Nurses and Environment
1991 - Mental Health - Nurses in Action
1992 - Healthy Aging
1993 - Quality, costs and nursing
1994 - Healthy Families for Healthy Nation
1995 - Women's Health: Nurses Pave the Way
1996 - Better Health through Nursing Research
1997 - Healthy Young People A Brighter Future
1998 – Partnership for Community Health
1999 - Celebrating Nursing's Past, claiming the future
2000 - Nurses - Always there for you
2001 - Nurses, Always There for You: United Against Violence
2002 - Nurses Always There for You: Caring for Families
2003 - Nurses: Fighting AIDS stigma, working for all
2004 - Nurses: Working with the Poor; Against Poverty
2005 - Nurses for Patients' Safety: Targeting counterfeit medicines and substandard medications
2006 – Safe staffing saves lives
2007 – Positive practice environments: Quality workplaces quality patient care
2008 - Delivering Quality, Serving Communities: Nurses Leading Primary Health Care and social care
2009 - Delivering Quality, Serving Communities: Nurses Leading Care Innovations
2010 - Delivering Quality, Serving Communities: Nurses Leading Chronic Care
2011 - Closing the Gap: Increasing Access and Equity
2012 - Closing the Gap: From Evidence to Action
2013 - Closing the Gap: Millennium Development Goals
2014 - Nurses: A Force for Change - A vital resource for health
2015 - Nurses: A Force for Change: Care Effective, Cost Effective
2016 - Nurses: A Force for Change: Improving Health Systems' Resilience
2017 - Nurses: A Voice to Lead - Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals
2018 - Nurses: A Voice to Lead - Health is a Human Right
2019 - Nurses: A Voice to Lead - Health for All
2020 - Nurses: A
