Everything You Need to Know About Nurses Week 2021
What is Nurses Week?
Nurses Week is a time set aside each year to celebrate nurses, as well as promote the nursing profession and the unparalleled role it plays in the healthcare field. Nurses Week recognizes RNs, LPNs, NPs and others in the field of nursing. If you’re wondering when this celebration began and why, here is everything you need to know about Nurses Week.
When is Nurses Week 2021?
Nurses Week 2021 takes place between Thursday May 6 – Wednesday May 12, 2021. Celebrated on the same days every year (May 6-12), Nurses Week precedes the birthday of Florence Nightingale on May 12th, and pays tribute to significant events in nursing history.
Nightingale was a pioneer in the nursing field, managing and training nurses during the Crimean War. During this time, she organized care for wounded soldiers and spearheaded some important advancements that have become a critical part of healthcare basics, such as an emphasis on sanitation and hand washing.
What is National Nurses Day 2021?
National Nurses Day is officially recognized on May 6th to kick off Nurses Week each year. National Nurses Day 2021 is on Thursday, May 6, 2021.
What is the History of Nurses Week?
Following is a timeline of some important milestones in the establishment of National Nurses Week:
1953: Dorothy Sutherland of the U.S. Dept. of Health, Education & Welfare first asked the White House (unsuccessfully) to proclaim a “Nurse Day” in October of 1954.
1974: For one year only, the White House declared a week in February as “National Nurse Week”.
1982: ANA Board of Directors and the U.S. Congress formally acknowledged May 6, 1982, as “National Nurses Day.”
1990: The recognition of nurses was lengthened to a week-long celebration by the ANA Board of Directors and May 6-12, 1991 became the first “Nurses Week”!
1993: The ANA Board of Directors selected May 6-12th as the permanent dates for all subsequent Nurses Week celebrations.
2020: World Health Organization designates 2020 as the “International Year of the Nurse” to celebrate the value of nursing, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021: Epic Travel Staffing celebrates our amazing, hardworking team of travel nurses!
How Do You Celebrate Nurses Week?
Many healthcare facilities and travel nursing agencies celebrate this week in various ways, including handing out gift bags, highlighting outstanding nurses on staff, hosting a catered lunch or even offering priority parking to the nursing staff for the week! Many restaurants and businesses offer Nurses Week freebies and discounts to celebrate these heroes and their contribution to healthcare in America.
There is no shortage of ways to celebrate the nurse in your life. Happy Nurses Week 2021!