Every May 12 , World Nursing Day is commemorated , with the aim of offering a well-deserved tribute to all the nurses who perform fundamental tasks in patient care, as well as paying tribute to Florence Nightingale, who was born on May 12. of May and is considered the founder of modern nursing.
The celebration was promoted by the National Council of Nurses (ICN) since 1965. In 1953, Dorothy Sutherland, an official at the US Department of Health, Education and Welfare, proposed to then US President Dwight D. Eisenhower that nurses deserved to have his day, which he refused. Finally, in January 1974, the official decision was made to celebrate that day on May 12.
The 2023 theme is “Our nurses. Our future” , to reflect on what we want for professionals in the field, so that they can address the next health challenges that arise globally.
Florence Nightingale, who was born in 1920, had become well known for her humanitarian work and her crusade for the advancement of public health measures around the world. Among other premises, she assured that all women should receive training to be able to care for a patient and that they should be excellent observers of patients and their environment.
Nursing needs people who are truly committed and love their work, who have human and philanthropic characteristics.
The International Council of Nursing (founded in 1899) is currently made up of 130 national associations of nurses. Among its main objectives are:
• Provide excellent quality nursing care for the general population.
• Offer assertive health policies around the world.
• Achieve advances in nursing knowledge.
• Greater and better presence of a world-known and respected profession.
• Offer competent and satisfactory nursing human resources.
