Amata Highlights National Nurses Week
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is highlighting National Nurses Week, and sending appreciation to American Samoa’s nurses. National Nurses Week is always May 6-12, regardless of when that falls within the week, in honor of Florence Nightingale’s May 12th birthday. Additionally, Monday the 8th is National Student Nurses Day, and Wednesday the 10th is National School Nurse Day.
“We are grateful for all the nurses serving our people in American Samoa!” said Congresswoman Amata. “Thank you to America’s four million registered nurses, and our wonderful local nurses here in the islands that we depend on. This year’s national theme is, ‘You Make a Difference.’ This theme recognizes your expertise and influence in health care, your ability to overcome challenges, and your one-on-one invaluable service to patients. Great job to each of you, and thank you for your attentive care!”
HISTORY: May 12th was first celebrated as International Nurses Day in 1974 by the International Council of Nurses. National Nurse Week was first proclaimed by President Richard Nixon in February 1974, after several prior efforts since the 1950s urging proclamation of a day or a week in honor of nurses.
The date honors the professional legacy of Florence Nightingale (1820-1910), a trailblazing British nurse. She organized a corps of female nurses to serve during the Crimean War, and pressed for more sanitary conditions through influential writings and statistics. She established a hospital and training school for nurses in 1860, and due to her reputation, was consulted regarding field hospitals during the U.S. Civil War.
The American Nurses Association (ANA) highlighted Nurses Day for May 6th in 1982, and President Ronald Reagan then officially proclaimed it as National Recognition Day for Nurses, while ANA and other organizations regularly highlight May 6th as National RN Recognition Day.
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