International Nurses' Day is observed on May 12, every year, all over the world to honour the contributions of nurses. Florence Nightingale, the English social reformer, statistician, and founder of modern nursing, was born on this day.
Every year, ICN commemorates this significant day by producing and disseminating International Nurses' Day (IND) materials and evidence. "Nurses: A Voice to Lead - Invest in Nursing and Respect Rights to Secure Global Health," is the theme for this year's Nurses' Day.

Many people believe that doctors are the most important persons in the healthcare system, which is just not true. Nurses, who are responsible for the care, protection, and recovery of patients, are the underdogs of our medical institutions.
Nurses have a vast amount of information and a wide range of abilities that they spend years honing and improving, all while working in extremely demanding conditions where tremendous stress is unavoidable.
Nurses assist in the birth of new life, provide unwavering care for the sick and injured, and occasionally witness patients they tried everything to rescue pass away despite their best efforts.
In 1953, Dorothy Sutherland, a US Department of Health, Education and Welfare official, proposed to President Dwight D. Eisenhower to declare "Nurses' Day." He did not, however, accept her proposal at the time. Since 1965, the International Council of Nurses has commemorated the day on May 12th.
On May 12th, the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale, who is regarded as the founder of modern nursing is commemorated. It is a significant event for all nurses. This day was finally declared as International Nurses' Day in January 1974.
The International Council of Nurses, since then, creates and distributes an International Nurses' Day Kit, which includes educational and public awareness resources for nurses all over the world.
