International Nurses Day 2018: Date, Theme, Significance & Celebrations Around the World on Florence Nightingale's Birthday
Nursing is one of the most respected professions in the world because of nurse’s selfless hard work that is involved.
The world is gearing up to celebrate International Nurses Day around the world as it is celebrated every year on May 12 to commemorate the birth anniversary of the Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. May 12 i.e. Saturday was chosen to celebrate the importance and contribution of nurses to the society and people’s health in 1974. However, nurses’ contribution to the society was celebrated by International Council of Nurses (ICN) since 1965. The theme for 2018 is chosen as ‘Nurses A Voice to Lead – Health is a Human Right’ by International Council to Nurses. Nursing is one of the most respected professions in the world because of nurse’s selfless hard work that is involved.
Significance
Nursing is the largest health care profession in the world and nurses are the key in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). Nurses are well-trained and educated for maintaining the health and wellness of the patients holistically. International Council of Nurses celebrates this event aiming to increase the public awareness about the nursing and nurse’s contribution towards the health care innovation. Nurses are innovatively practiced providing free health check-ups to the industries, meet all the local needs and to improve the physical, mental and well-being of the patients.
Celebrations Around the World
In London, International Nurses Day is celebrated every year by organising a candle lamp service in the Westminster Abbey, London. A candle lamp is handed over from one nurse to another symbolising to pass the knowledge from one nurse to another. In US and Canada, National Nursing Week is celebrated from May 6 to May 12. Activities such as educational seminars, variety of community events, debates, competitions and discussions are held.
Nurse Day was first proposed by Dorothy Sutherland in the year 1953 and first proclaimed by the President Dwight Eisenhower and it was first celebrated by the International Council of Nurses (ICN) in the year 1965. International Nurses Day Kit, having educational and public information materials to be used by the nurses among public, is prepared and distributed every year by the ICN while celebrating the nurse’s day.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 11, 2018 11:07 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).