When is National Nurses Week?
National Nurses Week 2027
Thu, May 6, 2027 – Wed, May 12, 2027
May 6 to 12 every year, ending on Florence Nightingale's birthday. That's in 214 days.
until National Nurses Week begins, in your time zone
National Nurses Week is a US observance that recognizes registered nurses and the care they give in hospitals, clinics, schools and communities. The American Nurses Association set its permanent May 6 to 12 dates in 1993.
About National Nurses Week
The week gives patients, employers and the public a set time to thank nurses and to look at the conditions they work in. Hospitals and health systems hold recognition events, and the American Nurses Association (ANA) publishes a toolkit each year with ideas for local celebrations, outreach to elected officials and public events such as lighting up landmarks in honor of nurses.
Efforts to create a US nurses' observance go back decades. According to the ANA, a federal official proposed a Nurse Day to President Eisenhower in 1953, but no proclamation followed; a National Nurse Week was observed in October 1954, the 100th anniversary of Florence Nightingale's mission to the Crimea. President Nixon proclaimed a National Nurse Week in 1974. In 1982, after a joint resolution of Congress, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed May 6 as National Recognition Day for Nurses.
The ANA Board of Directors expanded the day into a week of May 6 to 12 for 1991, and in 1993 made those the permanent dates for 1994 and every year after. The week closes on May 12, Florence Nightingale's birthday, which is also International Nurses Day. Two days inside the week have their own focus: May 6 is National Nurses Day, and May 8 has been National Student Nurses Day since the ANA designated it in 1997 at the request of the National Student Nurses' Association.
National Nurses Week is not a federal holiday, and it runs on fixed dates, so it can start on any day of the week.
Sources: American Nurses Association: History of National Nurses Week (timeline), American Nurses Association: National Nurses Week. How we check dates.
How to mark National Nurses Week
- Send a thank-you note to a nurse who cared for you or a family member, and copy their manager so the praise is on record.
- If you work alongside nurses, cover a task or bring food for a night shift that often misses daytime events.
- Encourage a nursing student you know on May 8, Student Nurses Day, with practical help or mentoring.
- Ask your local hospital or school district whether they need volunteers to support nursing staff.
- Read about safe staffing and nurse workload debates in your state to understand the issues nurses raise.
National Nurses Week dates
| Year | Dates |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Tue, May 6 – Mon, May 12 |
| 2026 | Wed, May 6 – Tue, May 12 |
| 2027 | Thu, May 6 – Wed, May 12 |
| 2028 | Sat, May 6 – Fri, May 12 |
| 2029 | Sun, May 6 – Sat, May 12 |
| 2030 | Mon, May 6 – Sun, May 12 |
| 2031 | Tue, May 6 – Mon, May 12 |
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Frequently asked questions
When is National Nurses Week 2027?
National Nurses Week 2027 is Thu, May 6, 2027 – Wed, May 12, 2027. It falls on May 6 to 12 every year, ending on Florence Nightingale's birthday. In 2028, it is on Saturday, May 6, 2028.
Why does National Nurses Week end on May 12?
May 12 is the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, and it is also International Nurses Day. The American Nurses Association fixed the week as May 6 to 12 in 1993.
What is the difference between National Nurses Day and National Nurses Week?
National Nurses Day is May 6, the first day of the week, which began as a one-day observance in 1982. National Nurses Week is the full May 6 to 12 period.
Is National Nurses Week a public holiday?
No. National Nurses Week is an observance, not a public holiday, so schools, banks, government offices and most businesses keep their normal hours.