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National Nurses Day

Show your appreciation for nurses this National Nurses Day! Show your support with donations, cards, and kind words to recognize their hard work.

Thursday

May 2027

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEMay 6

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYCareers

SUBCATEGORYHealthcare

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Celebrate National Nurses Day on May 6 by giving a special thank you to the everyday heroes in the nursing profession! This day has been around since 1953 when Dorothy Sutherland of the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare sent out a proclamation for recognition of nurses across America. Since then it has become an annual tradition to show appreciation for these selfless individuals who dedicate their lives to providing healthcare services and helping others in need.

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TIMELINE

National Nurses Day Timeline

Florence Nightingale's Impact

Florence Nightingale was a catalyst for nursing reform, providing care for British soldiers during the Crimean War and establishing a training school for nurses in 1860.

American Nurses Association

The American Nurses Association was established to advocate for the rights and wellbeing of nurses throughout the United States.

National Nurses Day Initiation

National Nurses Day was established by Dorothy Sutherland of the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. She sent a proclamation to President Dwight Eisenhower for May 6th to be a day of recognition for nurses.

International Nurses Day

On the 100th anniversary of Florence Nightingale's mission to Crimea, the International Council of Nurses declared May 12th as International Nurses Day.

Establishment of National Nurses Week

The American Nurses Association extended the recognition of nurses to a week-long celebration from May 6th-12th, known as National Nurses Week.

Year of the Nurse

The World Health Organization declared 2020 the "Year of the Nurse and Midwife" in honor of the 200th birthday of nursing pioneer Florence Nightingale, highlighting the indispensable roles of nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate National Nurses Day

Send a card

Show your appreciation for nurses by sending them cards with kind words and thank you messages.

ORGANIZE

Organize a potluck

Gather your friends, family, and colleagues to show nurses how much they are appreciated by hosting a potluck in their honor.

DONATE

Donate to a cause

Find an organization that supports nurses and make a donation in their name to show your support.

OFFER

Offer discounts

If you own a business, offer discounts to nurses as a way of saying thank you for all that they do.

VOLUNTEER

Volunteer at a hospital

Spend some time volunteering at your local hospital or nursing home and help out with the work that the nurses do every day.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why National Nurses Day is Important

Nurses show compassion & empathy

More than just medical professionals, nurses also offer emotional and moral support for patients during times of illness. They make it their priority to lend an ear, knowing that sometimes just having someone to talk to makes all the difference in a person's life.

Nurses provide vital care and support

Nurses are the frontline healthcare workers who provide care and comfort to our loved ones when they're sick or injured. They often go above and beyond their duties, taking extra steps to ensure patients receive the best quality of care possible.

Nurses advocate for better healthcare

Nurses understand the needs of patients first-hand and are dedicated to improving healthcare standards & regulations so everyone can access quality treatments. From lobbying government policies to raising public awareness, nurses take on a leadership role within their profession in pursuit of better healthcare.

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