History of National Nurses Week

The history of National Nurses Week dates back to the early Nineteen Fifties when a public official wrote a daring letter to the President of the United States, but it surely took twenty years for it to catch on. Let’s make a journey down memory lane and remember how National Nurses Week got here to be.

When did Nurses Week start?

The idea of ​​officially designating a time to honor nurses was first proposed in 1953 by Dorothy Sutherland, an official with the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare. Sutherland sent a letter to President Dwight D. Eisenhower suggesting the establishment of “Nurses Day” to acknowledge and appreciate the exertions and sacrifice of nurses.

A press release has not been released. However, in 1954, Nurses’ Week was actually held from October 11 to 16 in recognition of the a centesimal anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s mission to take care of soldiers through the Crimean War, in line with American Nurses Association (ANA) website.

That same 12 months, Representative Frances P. Bolton of Ohio sponsored a National Nurses Week bill, but no motion was taken then or for the subsequent twenty years.

National Nurses Week didn’t officially begin until 1974. That same 12 months, President Nixon announced that the week could be observed annually. Interestingly, it was not until 1993 that May 6–12 became the everlasting date for celebrating National Nurses Week.

Years later, the ANA expanded National Nurses Week to a month-long observance generally known as National Nurses Month to supply more opportunities to acknowledge and appreciate nurses and to lift awareness of the importance of nursing in health care.

In the years that followed, Nurse.com continued to make it its mission to acknowledge and have fun nurses during Nurses Week and all year long, in partnership with organizations like ANA. Nurse.com Celebration includes special blog content, videos, giveaways and virtual events that highlight our appreciation for the nursing community.

How did International Nurses Day come about?

In 1974 International Council of Nurses (ICN) has officially declared May 12, Florence Nightingale’s birthday, as International Nurses Day, although the ICN has been celebrating this present day since 1965.

International Nurses Day honors nurses all over the world. Each 12 months, ICN selects a subject specializing in specific features of nursing, corresponding to patient care, education and the impact of nursing on public health. ICN also hosts events and activities that honor nurses for the invaluable role they play in ensuring the well-being of people and communities on a world scale.

National Nurses Week has grow to be a vital and valued holiday. Hospitals and other healthcare facilities hold special events, ceremonies and activities to honor the dedication and exertions of their nurses. Schools, universities and nursing associations are also using this chance to lift awareness of the vital role of nursing and encourage future generations of nurses. Nurse.com’s goal is to proceed to search out ways to supply nurses with meaningful recognition one year a 12 months.