International Nurses Day 2026
📅 Tuesday, May 12, 2026
📝 About International Nurses Day 2026
Observed on May 12 — the birthday of Florence Nightingale, who revolutionized nursing during the Crimean War in the 1850s by introducing sanitary practices that dramatically reduced hospital death rates — International Nurses Day was first proposed by the International Council of Nurses in 1965. The day honors the world's roughly 28 million nurses, who form the largest single group of healthcare workers globally. Each year the ICN publishes educational resources around a specific theme, and many hospitals hold award ceremonies and continuing education events. The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented attention to nurses' sacrifices, with the WHO designating 2020 the 'Year of the Nurse' and highlighting the critical shortage of an estimated 5.9 million nurses worldwide.
📋 Quick Facts
- Date
- Tuesday, May 12, 2026
- Day of the Week
- Tuesday
- Days Remaining
- 10
- Category
- Awareness Days
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
There are 10 days until International Nurses Day 2026 on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
International Nurses Day 2026 is on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
Observed on May 12 — the birthday of Florence Nightingale, who revolutionized nursing during the Crimean War in the 1850s by introducing sanitary practices that dramatically reduced hospital death rates — International Nurses Day was first proposed by the International Council of Nurses in 1965. The day honors the world's roughly 28 million nurses, who form the largest single group of healthcare workers globally. Each year the ICN publishes educational resources around a specific theme, and many hospitals hold award ceremonies and continuing education events. The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented attention to nurses' sacrifices, with the WHO designating 2020 the 'Year of the Nurse' and highlighting the critical shortage of an estimated 5.9 million nurses worldwide.
International Nurses Day 2026 falls on a Tuesday.