05/04/2026
🦋 Happy National Nurses Month 🦋
Here are some fun facts and history for National Nurses Week
Rooted in Nurses Week: National Nurses Month began as National Nurses Week, running from May 6 to May 12 each year, starting with May 6 (National Nurses Day) and ending on May 12, Florence Nightingale’s birthday
Florence Nightingale’s Legacy: The dates honor Nightingale, founder of modern nursing, whose work in the Crimean War set the foundation for professional nursing.
Expansion to a Month: In 2020, the American Nurses Association (ANA) expanded the observance into a month-long celebration to give more time to recognize nurses’ contributions.
Other Related Days: May 8 is National Student Nurses Day, and within Nurses Week, National School Nurse Day is observed on the Wednesday during National Nurses Week.
Why It Matters
Nurses are often called the backbone of healthcare, providing direct patient care, advocating for patients, and supporting healthcare teams.
They work in diverse settings—from hospitals and clinics to schools and military units—and in 2026, there are 104 nursing specialties.
In the U.S., nurses outnumber doctors three-to-one, and there are about 4.7 million registered nurses.
Notable Facts About Nurses
Nurses prevent two-thirds of safety-compromising medical errors.
On average, nurses walk at least 5K per 12-hour shift.
The oil lamp is the symbol of nursing, tied to Nightingale’s nighttime rounds during the Crimean War.
Nurses are more trusted than any other profession, according to Gallup polls.
The first U.S. nursing school opened in 1873 at Bellevue City Hospital in New York City.
🦋 THANK YOU TO ALL OUR NURSES! 🦋
