International Nurses Day(12^th May)

International Nurses Dayis observed on May 12 every year. The perhaps the birth day of Florence Nightingale famous nurse on 12^th May, 1820. She was an English nurse, a social reformer and a statistician who founded the key pillars of modern nursing.

History of International Nurses Day

Florence Nightingale is known as the Lady with the Lamp, the founder of modern nursing, started work as a nursing in-charge of the British and allied soldiers. Florence Nightingale spent most of her time caring and comforting the injured - often late into the night. She was the first to establish formal training for nurses. The first nursing school ‘the Nightingale School of Nursing’ was inaugurated in London in 1860. Florence Nightingale was a key figure behind setting up a training school for midwives as well. She was the first woman who was awarded the Order of Merit 1907.

The theme of this year's International Nurses Day is Nurses: A Voice to Lead- A Vision for future healthcare.

Significance of International Nurses Day

Nurses are at the forefront of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. Nurses are often the only health professionals that people see in a crisis situation. According to the WHO, ''nurses account for more than half of all the world's health workers, yet there is an urgent shortage of nurses worldwide with 5.9 million (2020) more nurses still needed, especially in low and middle income countries."