Patient Care: Celebrating National Nurses Week in The US

National Nurses Week is observed each year from 6 May to 12 May, ending on Florence Nightingale’s birthday. 

It provides a structured annual opportunity to recognise the contributions of nurses and the nursing profession. 

Over time, additional observances such as National Student Nurses Day and National School Nurse Day have been incorporated into this period.

National Nurses Week

The American Nurses Association (ANA) has supported and promoted the nursing profession since 1896. 

Along with its state and territorial nurses associations, it helps advance recognition of nursing at local, regional and national levels. 

The ANA also supports National Nurses Week recognition programmes through nursing associations, educational institutions, speciality organisations and other healthcare companies and institutions.

According to the ANA, efforts to establish formal recognition for nurses have developed over several decades:

• Early proposals in the 1950s and 1970s sought national recognition for nurses, including attempts to establish dedicated days and weeks, though many did not succeed at the time. 
• In 1974, 12 May was designated as International Nurses Day in recognition of Florence Nightingale’s birthday.
• In the following years, further progress led to formal recognition in the United States. 
• By 1982, 6 May was established as National Nurses Day before being expanded later. 
• In 1993, 6 May to 12 May was designated as the permanent annual period for National Nurses Week. 

Additional observances were also added, including National Student Nurses Day on 8 May and National School Nurse Day, celebrated during Nurses Week.

Nursing and the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross has a long history of nursing involvement dating back to its early development. 

Nursing was central to the International Red Cross Movement, and Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross, gained early recognition for providing nursing aid during the Civil War.

In its early years, Red Cross nurses supported disaster relief and military efforts, responding to events such as floods, epidemics and wartime needs. 

During major conflicts and crises, including World War I and the Spanish Flu epidemic, nurses played a significant role in providing care and support both domestically and overseas. 

Over time, Red Cross nursing expanded into public health programs, training, disaster response and community services, continuing its long-standing tradition of service.

Linda Fahey, Chief Nurse for the American Red Cross, said during National Nurses Week: 

“As Chief Nurse of the American Red Cross and on behalf of our entire organisation, thank you for your unwavering service and dedication to our mission.”

“I look forward to continuing this important work together.” 

Recognition and support for nursing

The ANA continues to encourage recognition of nurses through coordinated programs across healthcare and educational organisations. 

National Nurses Week remains a central moment for acknowledging nursing contributions across the healthcare system.

Microsoft has also participated in recognising Nurses Week by highlighting the role of nurses in healthcare delivery. 

"For years, nurse leaders and frontline nurses have generously shared their time, experience and candour with us, helping guide how we think about technology, set priorities and show up as a partner to the nursing profession,” writes Mary Varghese Presti, Corporate Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Microsoft’s Health & Life Science, in a blog.

It emphasises collaboration with nurses to understand challenges such as increasing complexity of care, staffing pressures, documentation burden, coordination demands and emotional strain. 

Through ongoing engagement with nursing professionals, Microsoft outlines efforts to align technology with nursing practice and support improvements in workflow and care delivery.

These perspectives reflect a broader emphasis on recognising nurses not only during National Nurses Week, but throughout ongoing efforts to support the profession across healthcare systems and organisations.