National Nursing Week

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National Nursing Week 2024

Theme: Changing Lives. Shaping Tomorrow.

Dates and theme

National Nursing Week is May 6-12, 2024, and this year’s theme is Changing Lives. Shaping Tomorrow.

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The theme recognizes the contributions of the tremendous impact that nurses have on individuals, communities, and the future of health care. We hope you embrace it as you show your support for Canada’s nurses this year.

Let’s break down the elements of the theme:

  1. Changing Lives:
    • Patient impact: Nurses play a crucial role in directly impacting the lives of patients. Through their care, compassion and expertise, they contribute to positive changes in the health and well-being of individuals.
    • Advocacy: Nurses often advocate for their patients, ensuring they receive the best possible care and support. This advocacy can bring about transformative changes in people’s lives.
  2. Shaping Tomorrow:
    • Innovation: Nurses are at the forefront of health-care innovation, contributing to advancements in treatments, technologies and patient care practices. Their commitment to learning and adapting helps shape the future of health care.
    • Educational influence: Nurses, as educators, have a significant impact on shaping the next generation of health-care professionals. Their knowledge and mentorship influence the future of the nursing profession.

Embrace nurses and shine a spotlight on them by following us on social media and using the hashtags #CNA2024 #NursingWeek2024 #NationalNursingWeek #IND2024 #Nurses2024 #NursesChangingLives #NursesShapingTomorrow

We look forward to celebrating National Nursing Week (May 6-12), Indigenous Nurses Day (May 6), and International Nurses Day (May 12) with you all!

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Resources

  • Social media images
  • Standard posters
  • Personalizable posters
  • Online banner ads
  • Logo

You can also download a large-format poster (18” x 24”) and personalize it by adding your organization’s name and logo. To print a high-quality version of the poster, use a printing facility or upload a high-resolution PDF to an online print vendor. Display it proudly around your facility to show your organization’s support for nurses.

Download now

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Events

Online Daily Scavenger Hunt
Have fun and test your knowledge of CNA! Starting May 6 until May 10, one scavenger hunt question will be posted per day on social media. You’ll have until 11:59 p.m. ET each day to submit your entry. Only one entry per day is permitted. Winners will be announced May 13, 2024. Good luck!

May 6, 12-1 p.m. (ET)
Celebrate National Nursing Week with Canada’s chief nursing officer, Dr. Leigh Chapman!
More details

May 8, 12-1 p.m. (ET)
A Vision for the Future of Nursing Innovation in the Canadian Health System: From Best Practice to Next Practice
More details

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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.

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Commemorate nursing — inspirational message

We are delighted to present these special messages that acknowledge and thank nurses for their expertise, professionalism and dedication to keeping people healthy.

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Contact Us

For general inquiries, please contact cna@cna-aiic.ca.