National Nurses Week – May 6-12, 2022

From assisting with life-threatening ER crises to delivering babies and caring for the elderly in their last moments, nurses perform some of the most difficult and heartbreaking tasks in the medical world. As workers who perform the most essential healthcare tasks, nurses serve as the first point of contact for most patients.

National Nurses Week honors their contributions and sacrifices and reminds us to thank the medical professionals who keep us healthy. It is celebrated between May 6, National Nurses Day, and May 12, the birthdate of celebrated nurse Florence Nightingale.

Read about the history of National Nurses Week by visiting: National Today

NATIONAL NURSES WEEK ACTIVITIES

1. Thank a nurse with a fresh meal or massage

   Nurses work long hours with few breaks and deserve a treat. Send a nurse in your life a surprise meal or spa session to show your appreciation!

2. Donate blood

   If you are eligible, donating blood is an easy way to help ensure our healthcare system has the resources it needs to save lives.

   3. Write a thank-you note to the nurses you know

5 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT NURSING

1. 1. Nursing used to be all-male

      In the Middle Ages, all-male religious orders cared for the sick and dying. Women began playing a larger role in religious hospitals in the 1600s.

   2. Nurses walk a lot

      On average, a nurse walks 4 to 5 miles on every 12-hour shift. That’s a 5k every day!

   3. People trust nurses

      Nursing is consistently rated as one of the most trusted professions in public polls.

   4. Half of foreign nurses are Filipino

      Nurses from the Philippines make up 50% of all foreign nurses in the U.S.

   5. Only 60% of nurses work in hospitals

      Almost half of nurses work in other locations including schools, hospice facilities, and private homes.