Awareness Day

International Nurses Day

May 12, 2026 Recurs yearly

Nurses represented during healthcare and public health awareness activities.

2026 Theme

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

“Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives.” focuses on the idea that strong health systems depend on empowered nurses. The campaign highlights that nurses are not only providers of bedside care, but also educators, advocates, leaders, researchers, emergency responders and trusted professionals who strengthen communities and improve health outcomes.

The theme calls for investment in the nursing workforce through fair working conditions, continuing education, professional recognition, leadership development and policies that enable nurses to contribute fully to healthcare delivery and decision-making. Empowering nurses is presented not only as a workforce issue, but as an essential strategy for safer care, stronger health systems and better health for all.

Key Priorities

  • Strengthen nursing education and lifelong learning.
  • Improve safe staffing and working conditions.
  • Support nurses' physical and mental well-being.
  • Enable nurses to practise to the full extent of their skills and knowledge.
  • Expand nursing leadership and participation in policy development.
  • Improve retention and recruitment of nurses.
  • Recognize nurses' contributions across all areas of healthcare.
  • Strengthen primary healthcare through nursing.
  • Support nurses during emergencies, outbreaks and humanitarian crises.
  • Promote fair compensation and professional recognition.
  • Encourage nursing research and innovation.
  • Address global nursing workforce shortages.
  • Improve access to quality healthcare through investment in nursing.
  • Strengthen person-centered and community-based care.
  • Build resilient health systems through empowered health workers.

Key Concepts

  • Nursing
  • Nurses
  • Nursing workforce
  • Nursing leadership
  • Empowered nurses
  • Health workforce
  • Primary healthcare
  • Healthcare quality
  • Nursing education
  • Nursing research
  • Professional development
  • Nursing practice
  • Clinical autonomy
  • Compassionate care
  • Nursing innovation
  • Nursing advocacy

Campaign Resources & Support

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