Happy International Nurses Day: Quotes, Wishes, Messages, Images, Date, and More

Nursing is possibly the noblest profession, and it is one of the greatest services rendered to human beings. Nurses take the best care of every patient, so that they recover from diseases and lead a healthy life.

Introduction of International Nurses Day

International Nurses Day is celebrated annually on May 12th. It is celebrated all over the world to mark the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale, the founder of present-day nursing. This day honours the nurses all over the world and their contributions to the society. Their hard work and dedication became more prominent during the pandemic. 

History of International Nurses Day

International Nurses Day was initially started by the International Council of Nurses (ICN) in the year 1965. This marks the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale. 

The story of Florence Nightingale:

Florence Nightingale was born in an elite family and wanted to become a nurse from a very young age. But her parents did not encourage her dreams, as it was considered a very low-class job compared to her standards. In spite of facing several objections from her parents, she decided to pursue her dreams and joined the Lutheran Hospital of Pastor Fliedner in Kaiserwerth in Germany in 1844 to study nursing.

In the early 1850s, she took up a nursing job, and her performance as a nurse was so impressive that she was promoted to the position of superintendent within a year of her joining. In 1853, the Crimean War broke out, and in the following year, Florence Nightingale received a letter from the Secretary of War to help out all the wounded soldiers. She gathered a team of thirty-four nurses and set out for Crimea. She improved the hospital's sanitary conditions, made sure that proper food was being cooked for the soldiers, and arranged a laundering service. She used to visit every soldier at night to check on their health, which is why she was also known as "The lady with the lamp." She stayed there and provided impeccable service to the soldiers and left after the war was over. 

Her deeds were widely appreciated, and she became an inspiration to many young women. The Queen also presented her with a brooch, which came to be known as "The Nightingale Jewel" along with two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, with the help of which she established the St. Thomas Hospital. 

Dorothy Sutherland, an officer, working in the U.S Department of Health, Education and Welfare, contacted the then president of the United States, D. Eisenhower, and proposed the idea of International Nurses Day in 1953. 

The idea was not approved just then, but later in 1965, the International Council for Nurses decided to celebrate this day, and finally, in 1974, May 12th was officially declared to be the International Nurses Day.

International Nurses Day 2023 Date

• When is International Nurses Day 2023?

International Nurses Day for the year 2023 is celebrated/observed on Friday, 12 May.

• International Nurses Day dates for the years 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 and 2027

International Nurses Day Quotes

• The most important practical lesson that can be given to nurses is to teach them what to observe. - Florence Nightingale
• Nurses dispense comfort, compassion, and care without even a prescription. -Val Saintsbury
• A nurse will always give us hope, an angel with a stethoscope.- Carrie Latet
• Our job as nurses is to cushion the sorrow and celebrate the joy, every day, while we are ‘just doing our jobs. -Christine Belle
• Caring is the essence of nursing.- Jean Watson
• The trained nurse has become one of the great blessings of humanity, taking a place beside the physician and the priest.- William Osler

International Nurses Day Wishes

• With your care and patience, you have touched many hearts. You have soothed so many pains with your skills. Thanks for being so kind and dedicated in your job. Happy Nurses Day to you.
• I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the kindness, empathy, and endless love! Happy Nurse Day 2023!
• A nurse gives comfort, care and attention to others when they are in the most sensitive condition. You make the most wonderful nurse. Wishing you a very Happy Nurses Day 2023.
• Thank you so much for bringing hope into this hopeless world and nursing the infected society with your love and care. Happy Nurses Day!
• Dear, the way you have vowed to nurture the world with your empathy, kindness, and humanity is beyond all the praises! Happy Nurses Day!
• Every nurse is an angel with a key for healthy community. Happy Nurses Day!

International Nurses Day Messages

• It is not easy to give yourself away in serving others. Only a nurse as dedicated as you can do such a remarkable job. Wishing you a very Happy Nurses Day.
• Happy nurses day to all the wonderful nurses of the world! The dedication you show towards your job is marvellous and praiseworthy. Have a nice day!
• Greetings to you on International Nurses Day. Your care is truly exceptional. Thank You for doing all that you do.
• To the nurses who give so much of themselves to others every day. International Nurses Day 2023
• We often fail to acknowledge the efforts and services of nurses who give their heart and soul into serving others. Thanks for your amazing services. Warm wishes on Nurses Day to you.
• Thanks for taking such good care of me in the most difficult days of my life. Thanks for your unconditional services and patience. Wishing you a wonderful and Happy Nurses Day.

Significance of International Nurses Day

Nursing is the most the biggest health care profession in the world, and on International Nurses Day, we celebrate and appreciate the enormous contribution of nurses to our society. They play a vital role in the recovery and well being of sick people in the whole world. They tirelessly and selflessly work to provide the patients with the best of health care facilities and see that they recover quickly. They serve as a direct link between the doctor and the patient and take up the responsibility of providing medicines and other facilities to the patient so that they recover fast. Without nurses, it is really difficult for the medical staff or the hospital to function. Their role is as important as a doctor in saving the lives of the patients. They work as the doctor's right hand, take their place in their absence, and see the patient's welfare and proper upkeep. 

Nurses are the actual heroes of the world and deserve as much appreciation and respect as doctors do. International Nurses Day celebrates all the nurses in the world who jump in to help others regardless of the situation or the circumstances. 

How Is International Nurses Day Celebrated?

Every year on May 12th, the International Council of Nurses makes and distributes the International Nurses Day Kit, which contains educative and public awareness information and materials that nurses can use all over the world. May 8th has been celebrated as Student Nurses Day every year since 1998. 

Celebrations Around the World for International Nurses Day

• Australia- International Nurse in Australia, is celebrated by giving awards and due appreciation to all the nurses in the country. The award of Australian Nurse of The Year is presented in the capital cities of each state. Several other award ceremonies are organized throughout the week. 
• China- International Nurses Day in China is celebrated by several nurses all over the country, gathering at the Jiangxi Province. 
• Ireland- An Irish Recruitment Company known as Nurse Jobs Ireland organize a program throughout the week prior to International Nurses Day. The celebration uses social media to spread awareness about the importance and the contribution of nurses to the society. They celebrate this occasion by putting out a hashtag #CelebrateNurses. All the Irish citizens leave a thank you note or a positive message using the hashtag, which is then collected into an eBook which this shared and distributed among all the health care facilities in Ireland. 
• Singapore- Nurses Day in Singapore is celebrated on August 1st. It was started in 1885, which commemorates the beginning of nursing and when the nurses started doing their duties at the General Hospital. 
• United Kingdom- International Nurses Day is celebrated at the Westminster Abbey in London. During this occasion, an iconic lamp from the Nurse's Chapel is taken by a nurse and given to another, after which the lamp is handed over to the Dean who places it on an altar. It symbolizes the passing of knowledge from one nurse to another.

When Is International Nurses Day Celebrated?

International Nurses Day is celebrated annually on May 12th. It was started in 1974 by the International Council of Nurses. 

Theme of International Nurses Day

The theme for International Nurses Day 2021 was the nurses' voice to lead and a vision for the future of healthcare. The theme for the year 2022 has not been revealed yet. 

Some Facts About International Nurses Day

• Florence Nightingale is believed to be the founder of the profession of nursing, and she established the first-ever nursing school.
• The first nursing school was established in Kaiserwerth in Germany in 1846 and was known as the Institute of Protestant Deaconesses. 
• Nurses Day is not a public holiday in the United States, even though it is officially celebrated there. 
• The first special greeting card for nurses was made and distributed in the year 1992.
• Celebrations, including banquets and dinners, can also be organized during Nurses Day in honour of all the nurses.
• Friends and family of the nurses present them with gifts on this occasion.
• The first nursing school in History was actually made in India in 250 B.C. 

Nursing is one the most important professions in the world, and nurses contribute to the well being and proper care of patients as much as doctors do. So on International Nurses Day, we should take the opportunity to thank all the nurses over the world for their immense selfless and tireless efforts to save the society from the pandemic or other diseases.