When is International Nurses Day?
International Nurses Day 2027 is on Wednesday
Wednesday, May 12, 2027
May 12 every year, Florence Nightingale's birthday. That's in 220 days.
until International Nurses Day begins, in your time zone
International Nurses Day honors the work nurses do around the world and is used to press governments for better staffing, pay and support for the profession. The International Council of Nurses leads it each year on Florence Nightingale's birthday.
About International Nurses Day
Nurses provide much of the hands-on care in hospitals, clinics, schools, care homes and patients' homes. International Nurses Day is a chance to thank them, and also to draw attention to the pressures they face, from staff shortages and burnout to unsafe working conditions.
The International Council of Nurses (ICN), a federation of national nursing associations founded in 1899 and based in Geneva, organizes the day. According to the American Nurses Association's history of nursing observances, the ICN has marked an International Nurses Day since 1965, and in January 1974 it settled on May 12, the anniversary of Florence Nightingale's birth in 1820. Nightingale is widely regarded as the founder of modern nursing for her work during the Crimean War and her later reforms of hospital care and nurse training.
Each year the ICN picks a theme and publishes a report and resource pack for nurses and health systems. The 2026 theme was "Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives," which called for structural changes to let nurses work to their full potential. The ICN often uses the day to launch new evidence on the state of the global nursing workforce.
Many countries hold their own events around the date. In the United States, National Nurses Week runs from May 6 and ends on May 12, so it closes on International Nurses Day.
Sources: International Council of Nurses: International Nurses Day, American Nurses Association: History of National Nurses Week (timeline). How we check dates.
How to mark International Nurses Day
- Thank a nurse who cared for you or someone close to you, by name if you can, in a note to the hospital or clinic.
- Read the International Council of Nurses' report for this year's theme to understand the issues facing the profession.
- If you manage nurses, ask your team what would make their shifts safer or more manageable, and act on one answer.
- Learn about Florence Nightingale's work beyond the lamp, including her use of statistics to improve hospital sanitation.
- Talk with a young person considering a health career about what nursing involves and how to train for it.
International Nurses Day dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Monday, May 12, 2025 |
| 2026 | Tuesday, May 12, 2026 |
| 2027 | Wednesday, May 12, 2027 |
| 2028 | Friday, May 12, 2028 |
| 2029 | Saturday, May 12, 2029 |
| 2030 | Sunday, May 12, 2030 |
| 2031 | Monday, May 12, 2031 |
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Frequently asked questions
When is International Nurses Day 2027?
International Nurses Day 2027 is on Wednesday, May 12, 2027. It falls on May 12 every year, Florence Nightingale's birthday. In 2028, it is on Friday, May 12, 2028.
Why is International Nurses Day on May 12?
May 12 is Florence Nightingale's birthday. She was born in 1820 and is widely seen as the founder of modern nursing. The International Council of Nurses chose the date in 1974.
Who organizes International Nurses Day?
The International Council of Nurses, a Geneva-based federation of national nurses' associations, leads it and sets a theme each year.
Is International Nurses Day a public holiday?
No. International Nurses Day is an observance, not a public holiday, so schools, banks, government offices and most businesses keep their normal hours.