About International Nurses Day/Nurses Week

International Nurses Day (IND) is an international day celebrated around the world on 12 May (the anniversary of Florence Nightingale's birth) of each year, to mark the contributions nurses make to society.

                                

• The International Council of Nurses (ICN) has celebrated this day since 1965.

• As of 1998, 8 May was designated as annual National Student Nurses' Day.

• In January 1974, 12 May was chosen to celebrate the day as it is the anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. 

• The U.S. celebrates National Nursing Week each year from 6 May to 12 May (the birthday of Florence Nightingale). Canada celebrates National Nursing Week each year during the week that includes 12 May, which is Florence Nightingale's birthday. The Canadian Minister of Health instituted National Nursing Week in Canada in 1985.

• In the U.S., National Nurses Week was first observed from 11–16 October 1954 in honor of the 100th anniversary of Florence Nightingale's mission to Crimea. President Nixon later proclaimed a "National Nurse Week" in 1974. In 1982, President Reagan signed a proposal officially designating 6 May as "National Recognition Day for Nurses," now known as National Nurses Day or National RN Recognition Day. In 1990, the American Nurses Association (ANA) expanded the holiday into the current National Nurses Week celebrated from 6 May to 12 May.

• This year in the US, the American Nurses Association has chosen the theme: Nursing - The balance of mind, body and spirit

                               

• This year, ICN has chosen the theme, Nurses: A Voice to Lead, Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals for its International Nurses Day kit.

                                  

Each year, ICN prepares and distributes the International Nurses' Day Kit. The kit contains educational and public information materials, for use by nurses everywhere.

                                             

This year’s campaign aims to give to all the chance to contribute at their own level and recognize the efforts they already make every day to achieve these goals. 

Visit the ICN website for more info.

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In Nigeria, The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) which is a registered Professional Association Cum Trade Union with over 65, 000 registered Nurses and Midwives that are working in Federal, State Local Government and Private Health Institutions is affiliated to the International Council of Nurses (ICN), the Common Wealth Nurses Association and the International Council of Midwives. 

  

                            

The Association as part of its international engagement is planning to commemorate the 2017 International Nurses Day in remembrance of the Life and Times of Florence Nightingale, the mother of Modern Nursing — the Lady with the Lamp. The activity is in the month of May and is celebrated globally and annually.

Below are the details of the 2017 programme: 

MIDWIVES DAY: 9th May 2017 

THEME: MIDWIVES: "MOTHERS AND FAMILIES: PARTNERS FOR LIFE" 

NURSES WEEK: - 10th — 12th May 2017 

THEME: NURSING: A VOICE TO LEAD, ACHIEVING THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS". 

Venue: Nigeria Air Force Conference Centre and Suites Plot 496 Ahmadu Bello Way, Kado, Abuja Nigeria. 

Departure:- Saturday, 13th May 2017 

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