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Why is May 12 International Nurses Day, and what is 2023's theme?

The theme for International Nurses Day 2023 is the future of nursing staff.

What is the significance of International Nurses Day 2023?

International Nurse Day is celebrated all around the globe on the 12th of May every year. This day is devoted to honouring the contributions and sacrifices made by nurses all over the world. The day is also an occasion to raise awareness about the critical role care workers play in healthcare and to recognise the problems and issues they encounter. International Nurses Day is a time to express gratitude and appreciation towards staff for the service they render to society and to advocate for better working conditions, education, and resources for them. 

Nurses are used to providing many of the services and facilities needed for patients to get proper care for any of the diseases they are suffering from. They are the backbone of the healthcare system and the first point of contact for patients. Nurses give patients the strength to battle their illnesses. This article will explain the importance of International Nurses Day, its history, and its theme for 2023. 

History of International Nurses Day (IND)

The origins of IND can be traced back to the early twentieth century. Dorothy Sutherland came up with the idea of dedicating a day to nurses and their efforts in 1953. Sutherland, a US Department of Health, Education, and Welfare official, proposed International Nurses Day to then-President Dwight D. Eisenhower. However, this proposal was turned down. 
 

The International Council of Nurses (ICN) was founded in 1912 to represent and unite nurses all around the world. The fundamental goal of ICN was to promote the nursing profession and enhance healthcare for all. The ICN began marking the day in 1965, and in 1974 they decided to make it an annual event, designating May 12 as International Nursing Day. The date they chose fell on Florence Nightingale's birthday. The first International Nurses Day was commemorated on May 12, 1974. 

International Nurses Day has become an important part of the nursing profession, serving as a reminder of the vital role the nures play in healthcare and society as a whole. The event also provides an opportunity for nurses to network, discuss their experiences and ideas, and push for change and advancements in nursing practise and education. 

Who is Florence Nightingale? 

Born on May 12, 1820, Florence Nightingale was an English social reformer and statistician and the founder of modern nursing. During the Crimean War, Nightingale rose to fame as a manager of nurses she had trained, where she organised the care of wounded soldiers. She is the one who gave nursing a positive reputation and became a symbol of Victorian society, particularly as "The Lady with the Lamp," making rounds of injured troops at night. 

While recent commentators say that Nightingales' achievement was just an exaggeration by the media at the time, critics agree that her subsequent achievements in professionalising women's nursing roles are crucial. Nightingale established the world's first secular nursing school at St. Thomas' Hospital in London, in 1860. Her social initiatives include increasing healthcare for all areas of British society, lobbying for improved food assistance in India, assisting in the repeal of anti-women prostitution legislation, and broadening the permissible types of female labour force involvement. 

International Council of Nurses (ICN)

The International Council of Nurses is a global nursing organisation comprising over 130 national nurse associations that represents over 28 million nurses. ICN was founded in 1899 as the world's first and most comprehensive international organisation for health professionals. The objective of the International Council of Nurses is to ensure nursing care for all, the advancement of nursing knowledge, and the presence of a respected nursing profession worldwide. The council is run by nursing professionals and senior nurses from throughout the world. 

Celebration of International Nurses Day 2023

Various events and activities are organised all over the world to commemorate International Nurses Day 2023. From ward ceremonies to week-long pro-bono campaigns and other events, nursing organisations all over the world conduct events. People on social media celebrate this day by using the hashtag #CelebrateNurses on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and others to honour the noble services of nursing staff. In the UK, a service is held in Westminster Abbey in London, where a symbolic lamp is taken from the Abbey's Nurse's Chapel and passed from one nurse to the next, and lastly to the Dean.

International Nurses Day 2023 theme 

The International Council of Nurses announced the theme for International Nurses Day 2023: Our Nurses. Our Future." and unveiled its new logo. The IND theme 2023, "Our Nurses. Our Future," defines what ICN intends for nursing in the future in order to solve global health challenges and enhance health conditions for everyone in the world, according to ICN President Dr. Pamela Cipriano. He further added that lessons learned from the pandemic should be taken into consideration and translated into actions for the future that ensure nursing professionals are protected, respected, and valued. 

Input from various organisations, such as the ICN, shows evidence for change and calls for action and investments in nursing. Our Nurses. Our Future. will cast a light on nurses and a brighter future, transforming nurses from invisible to invaluable in the eyes of legislators, the public, and all those who make decisions impacting healthcare delivery and finance. 

This campaign will also look at how to strengthen the healthcare system to address the growing demand for nurses around the world. ICN and its member national nursing associations around the world are looking forward to celebrating nurses and working together to chart the future direction of nursing in order to meet the needs of the new normal, Sustainable Development Goals, Universal Health Coverage, and Health for All. 

Nurses Group is a leading nursing agency in the UK and is looking forward to honouring our nurses on this special occasion. We treat our nurses, healthcare personnel, and clients equally, making us the greatest staffing agency in the UK to work with. 

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