May 12 is International Nurses Day, a day to say a special thanks to nurses for all they have given to good health care. International Nurses Day is for honoring nurses for their care, comfort and concern for people’s well-being, especially children, the elderly, and those in poor health. It began in 1953, when Dorothy Sutherland of the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare wrote a letter to President Eisenhower to proclaim a “Nurse Day” in October of the following year. President Eisenhower did not officially announce nurse’s Day that year. But when it was made official, May 12 was chosen as the day to celebrate nurses because May 12 is the birthday of Florence Nightingale. Florence Nightingale was a nurse in the 1800s who caused hospitals to make huge changes in cleanliness, hygiene and providing better nutrition for patients. As a result, deaths of wounded soldiers went from 42% to 2%.
So find a nurse to celebrate and honor today!
