International Day of Nurses observed

Islamabad (Web Desk): International Day of Nurses is being observed today (Monday) across the globe including Pakistan to acknowledge their invaluable contribution to healthcare and health security.

This year, the theme of the day is, “Our Nurses. Our Future. Caring for nurses strengthens economies.”

Nurses play an essential role in pain management, often serving as the first point of contact for patients experiencing acute or chronic pain.

Nurses also play a vital role in patient care and public health.

This special day recognizes their dedication, kindness, and important contributions to healthcare.

Since 1965, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) has marked a special day to honor the contributions of nurses worldwide. The concept was first proposed in 1953 by Dorothy Sutherland, a US government official, who suggested that President Dwight D. Eisenhower designate a “Nurses' Day.” Unfortunately, the proposal was not approved at the time.

In 1974, the date of May 12 was selected for this observance, chosen to coincide with the birth of Florence Nightingale, who is often credited as the founder of modern nursing.

To help celebrate, the ICN distributes an annual kit that includes informative and educational materials designed to support nurses globally. In addition, since 1998, May 8 has been recognized as National Student Nurses' Day in the United States (US), honoring the next generation of healthcare professionals.