"Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives."
Campaign Description
Observed annually on 12 May (Florence Nightingale's birthday) since 1965, this day honors nurses' contributions to healthcare worldwide and advocates for better working conditions and investment in the nursing workforce.
Theme Focus
Building on ICN's prior reports ("The Economic Power of Care," 2024, and "Caring for Nurses Strengthens Economies," 2025), the 2026 theme shifts to structural empowerment — safe staffing, fair pay, leadership pathways, and inclusion in health policy decisions — arguing that empowered nurses directly improve health outcomes and strengthen primary care systems.
Key Priorities
Recognize the vital contributions of nurses to healthcare
Strengthen investment in the nursing workforce
Improve nurse education, training, and professional development
Promote safe staffing levels and healthy work environments
Support nurses' physical and mental well-being
Enhance leadership opportunities for nurses
Improve retention and recruitment of nursing professionals
Advance equitable access to quality healthcare
Strengthen primary healthcare through nursing
Promote evidence-based nursing practice
Increase preparedness for public health emergencies
Advocate for policies that empower and protect nurses
Join our community for practical, jargon-free health education and medical insights delivered weekly.
Your Privacy Choices
Health Custodian uses essential cookies to ensure the website works properly.
With your permission, analytics cookies may also be used to understand
how visitors use the site and improve educational content.
