Nurses's Day
Nurses all over the world celebrate Nurses' Day from May 6-12 each year. Although a National Nurses’ Day was first proposed in America in 1953, it wasn’t until 1974 that the ball got rolling, when the International Council of Nurses proclaimed May 12th International Nurses’ Day. May 12th is the birthday of Florence Nightingale, who is an English Nurse and is the founder of modern nursing. As of 1998 (updated), 8th May was designated as annual National Student Nurses' Day.
In the United Kingdom, each year a service is held in Westminster Abbey in London.
During the Service, a symbolic lamp is taken from the Nurses' Chapel in the Abbey and handed from one nurse to another, then to the Dean, who places it on the High Altar.
This signifies the passing of knowledge from one nurse to another. At St Margaret's Church at East Wellow in Hampshire, where Florence Nightingale is buried, a service is also held on the Sunday after her birthday.
The week-long celebration is designed to accommodate the variety of schedules nurses are required to work. Activities during National Nurses Week typically include banquets and recognition dinners, state and city proclamations, continuing education seminars, and other community events. Nurses are typically honored with gifts, dinners, and flowers by friends and family members, coworkers such as doctors and administrators, and patients who want to show their appreciation.
All public and private hospitals in Malaysia are holding events to honor their nurses.
Malaysian Nurses’ Association will conduct a seminar annually where Malaysian nurses all over Malaysia will congregate to celebrate this symbolic event.
By Ms. Tang
Head of Nursing Programme
