Happy National Nurses Week! Starting today, May 6th, through May 12th, nurses will be celebrated across the country. This includes nurses of all kinds – travel nurses, nurse practitioners, student nurses, registered nurses, etc. This celebratory week is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO), American Nurses Association (ANA), and travel nurse agencies like Stability Healthcare. Look below to read more about the history of Nurses Week and how you can join in on celebrating other nurses and participate in the festivities!
How did National Nurses Week start?
Here’s a brief summary; In 1953, Dorothy Sutherland (U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare) originally tried to get the US to officially recognize a National Nurse Day. However, her proposal was shot down. In the following year in 1954, the first edition of Nurses Week occurred from October 11th-16th. This event marked the 100-year anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s essential work in the Crimean War, during which she tended wounded soldiers and taught other nurses. Florence Nightingale is touted as the founder of modern nursing. In 1955, there was apparently a call to continue the tradition of Nurses Week, but it was never approved.
In 1974, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) deemed May 12th International Nurse Day. May 12th is Florence Nightingale’s birthday. Also during that year, the White House promoted a week celebrating nurses in February. Starting in the early 80s, local officials and the ANA rallied to have an official day celebrating nurses on May 6th. May 6th was officially recognized by President Nixon in 1982 as the National Recognition Day for Nurses.
In 1991, the one-day celebrating nurses were extended to a week. In 1993, the ANA designated May 6th-12th as an annual, nationally recognized event. Thus, National Nurses Week happens every year during these same days.
How is National Nurses Week broken down?
Although the whole week is dedicated to recognizing nurses, there are a few days that celebrate specifics. May 6th is National Nurses Day, May 8th is National Student Nurses Day, and May 12th is International Nurses Day and National School Nurse Day.
Why is National Nurses Week important?
National Nurses Week week is important because it honors nurses who are the foundation of healthcare. It honors those who have risked their lives, saved lives, and put incredible effort into taking care of people.
2020 and 2021 seem particularly significant in honoring nurses. Nurses were on the healthcare frontline during the pandemic and dealt with an illness with little information on what the illness was, or how it spread. Sadly, some of these nurses lost their lives trying to save others or were infected themselves while they provided care for the sick. Some nurses who were retired came back out of necessity to aid overwhelmed hospitals and healthcare institutions. Nurses were often pushed to their mental and physical limits, working incredibly long and arduous shifts. People were working in conditions they weren’t necessarily used to, like extra personal protective equipment (PPE). Frankly, 2020 (and 2021) are different, historical, and hard years for the healthcare world.
How do you celebrate yourself and how can someone celebrate a nurse in their life?
If you’re a nurse, treat yourself this week! Although you deserve appreciation every day of the year, this week offers a few bonuses, like freebies. Restaurants, shops, and others typically offer some kind of free or discounted product or activity if you are a nurse. For example, today on May 6th, Dunkin’ Donuts will give nurses a free medium hot or iced coffee after flashing an ID. If you’d like to burn off some stress via arcade games, Dave & Buster’s supplies a free $10 gift card to healthcare workers. If you need new shoes in preparation for future shifts, Asics will give nurses 40% off after they confirm their nursing status. There are dozens of opportunities to treat yourself for free or on the low.
Here are a few different lists of freebies or discounts:
If you yourself are not a nurse but have a nurse in your life, make sure you show them gratitude. This can be done verbally, with a nice note, or a small gift. If you’re going with a nurse to a restaurant that they get a Nurses Week discount at, maybe cover the whole bill if you’re able to. It’s important to show allyship with nurses, especially after over a year of significant stress. This would also be a great week to reach out to a nurse that has cared for you in the past (if you have their information). Nurses’ care has a long-lasting impact on patients.
All in All, Nurses Should Be Honored
If you’re a nurse, this is YOUR week. Make sure to connect with your fellow nurses, take some time to treat yourself, and congratulate yourself on all of your hard work. Keep an eye on our blog and on our Instagram for the rest of the week, we’ve got a lot in store. We love our Stability Healthcare Nurses!!
