International Nurses Day is observed each year on 12 May, the birthday of Florence Nightingale (1820–1910), who is widely regarded as the founder of modern nursing. The day is dedicated to recognising the compassion, skill and resilience that nurses bring to patient care in hospitals, clinics, homes and communities across the globe.
History
The idea of an annual day to honour nurses was first proposed in the mid-20th century, and in 1965 the International Council of Nurses (ICN), a federation representing millions of nurses worldwide, officially began marking International Nurses Day. In 1974, 12 May was formally chosen as the fixed date to coincide with Florence Nightingale’s birthday, recognising her pioneering work in introducing hygiene, systematic record-keeping and organised nursing care during the Crimean War.
Since then, International Nurses Day has grown into a global observance, with national nursing associations, hospitals, governments and civil society groups holding events, seminars, award ceremonies and public campaigns. Each year, the ICN announces a specific theme, such as patient safety, nursing leadership, or strengthening health systems, and produces educational materials that highlight how nursing is essential to achieving universal health coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Why it matters
Nurses make up the largest share of the global healthcare workforce and are often the first and last point of contact for patients. They provide frontline care in emergency rooms, intensive care units, operating theatres, maternity wards, community clinics, schools and remote outreach programmes. Despite this central role, nurses around the world frequently face staff shortages, long shifts, emotional stress, limited decision-making power and pay that does not reflect their responsibilities.
International Nurses Day draws attention to these challenges and advocates for policies that ensure safe staffing levels, fair wages, mental health support and opportunities for continuous professional development. The COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted how crucial nurses are during health crises and how dangerous and exhausting their work can be without proper protection and support. By recognising and valuing nurses, societies can improve patient outcomes, strengthen trust in health services and build more resilient health systems.
Key facts
Observed since
- 1965
- organised globally by the International Council of Nurses (ICN).
Date
- 12 May
- marking the birthday of Florence Nightingale
- a pioneer of modern nursing practice and hospital hygiene.
Workforce share
- Nurses represent the largest single group of health professionals worldwide and are essential to primary care
- hospital services and public health programmes.
Global shortage
- The world faces a shortage of millions of nurses
- especially in low- and middle-income countries
- leading to high workloads and burnout among existing staff.
Core roles
- monitoring patients
- administering medicines
- providing emotional support
- coordinating care
- health promotion and education
- and advocating for patients’ rights and safety.
In Bangladesh
In Bangladesh, nurses play a critical role in hospitals, community clinics, maternal and child health centres and emergency services. However, the nurse-to-patient ratio remains below the World Health Organization’s recommendations, meaning that many nurses care for large numbers of patients at once. This can lead to heavy workloads, time pressure and stress, even though nurses continue to provide compassionate care under challenging conditions.
To address these gaps, the government and professional bodies have been working to expand nursing education by increasing seats in nursing colleges and institutes, upgrading diploma programmes to bachelor’s degrees and introducing specialised training in critical care, oncology, mental health and other fields. There is also a growing discussion on improving career pathways, leadership roles and social recognition so that nursing is seen as a respected and attractive profession for young people, including both women and men.
On International Nurses Day, hospitals and institutions in Bangladesh often organise discussions, cultural events, awards and awareness activities to celebrate nurses’ contributions and to highlight issues such as workplace safety, fair pay, ethical practice and patient-centred care. The day serves as a reminder that investing in nurses—through education, protection, respect and proper staffing—is directly linked to better health outcomes for the people of Bangladesh.
Frequently asked questions
- Why is International Nurses Day on May 12?
- International Nurses Day is celebrated on 12 May to mark the birthday of Florence Nightingale, who is widely regarded as the founder of modern nursing and a pioneer of hospital hygiene and organised patient care.
- Is there a nursing shortage in Bangladesh?
- Yes. Bangladesh’s nurse-to-patient ratio remains below World Health Organization recommendations, meaning many nurses care for large numbers of patients. This has prompted expansion of nursing education programmes, more training seats and discussion about better working conditions and career pathways.