About National Nursing Week
The week draws attention to nurses, increasing the awareness of the public, policy-makers and governments of the many contributions of nursing to the well-being of Canadians.
In 1971, ICN designated May 12, the birthday of nursing pioneer Florence Nightingale, as International Nurses Day. In 1985, CNA members passed a resolution to begin negotiations with the federal government to have the week containing May 12 proclaimed as National Nurses Week annually. Soon after, the federal minister of health proclaimed the second week of May as National Nurses Week. In 1993, the name was changed to National Nursing Week to emphasize the profession's accomplishments as a discipline.
National Nursing Week is centred around International Nurses Day, which takes place annually on May 12. Future National Nursing Week dates are as follows:
- 2026: May 11 – 17
- 2027: May 10 – 16
- 2028: May 8 – 14
- 2029: May 7 – 13
- 2030: May 6 – 12
- 2031: May 12 – 18
We are always looking for nurse feedback about National Nursing Week feedback, activities, themes, send us an email if you have ideas for future nursing weeks!