Part of the work of Nurse’s Week, therefore, is to cultivate a sense of community appreciation for the work that these professionals do. But there’s also a practical side to the week. Many nurses must work in poor conditions and don’t have the equipment that they need to deliver quality care. Part of the drive, therefore, is to raise money to better fund medics providing services in parts of the world where resources may be lacking. 

History

While many people consider Nurse’s Week as a relatively recent phenomenon, its origins stretch back deep into history. The first inklings that there should be some sort of event to celebrate the work of nurses emerged in 1953. Dorothy Sutherland, a senior government official, suggested to President Eisenhower that he institute a Nurse Day for the following year. The President didn’t act on the recommendation. Still, a celebration of nurses took place in 1954 to commemorate the anniversary of the nightingale hospitals used in the Crimean War. 

Over the following two decades, political representatives lobbied the government to institute a nurse’s day (or week). In 1972, they presented President Nixon with a bill, but again, he failed to sign it. 

After the political failures, the International Council of Nurses decided to take matters into its own hands. The organization proclaimed that there would indeed be an International Nurse’s Day starting in 1974. The political authorities responded and instituted Nurse’s Week to coincide with the date. 

Nurse’s Week continued informally for several years. Still, it wasn’t until 1981 that official nursing organizations, such as the ANA, officially recognized it. A year later, Ronald Reagan signed a proclamation, signing a specific date into law.