Celebrating Florida Nurse Week - May 6-12, 2010

Governor Charlie Crist's Proclamation	Celebrate the 4th Annual National Nurses Night with the Florida Marlins Click here for details (PDF)

A Guide for FNA Districts and Units
National Nurses Week
May 6-12, 2010

"Caring Today For A Healthier Tomorrow" is this year's theme for National Nurses Week. The week officially begins May 6 and ends on May 12, Florence Nightingale's birthday. These permanent dates were chosen to facilitate planning on an annual basis.

Many efforts were made over the years to get a national day of recognition for nurses, beginning with a proposal in 1953 by Dorothy Sutherland to President Eisenhower. The proposal for a Nurses Day was not granted. In 1974, President Richard Nixon issued a proclamation for National Nurses Week.

In 1982, the American Nurses Association (ANA) Board of Directors formally acknowledged May 6 as National Nurses' Day. In the same year, President Ronald Reagan signed a proclamation on March 25 proclaiming May 6 to be National Recognition Day for Nurses. The Florida Nurses Association (FNA) also designated the entire week as Florida Nurses' Week for the first time.

In 1990, the ANA Board of Directors expanded the recognition of nurses to a weeklong celebration, declaring May 6-12, 1991 as National Nurses Week.

In 1993, ANA initiates National RN Recognition Day on May 6, to honor the 2.7 million indispensable registered nurses in the U.S. for their tireless commitment 365 days a year. ANA encouraged its 53 states and territorial nurses associations and other organizations to acknowledge May 6, as National RN Recognition Day.

The Florida Nurses Association supports and adopts the recognition of nurses by the American Nurses Association and in an effort to assist the Districts and Units with their plans, offers this guide.