This year marks the 202nd celebration of National Nurses’ Week, an annual celebration of nurses worldwide for the work they do for others. Established in 1993 by the American Nurses Association (ANA), National Nurses’ Week is celebrated May 6 through May 12, ending on the birthday of Florence Nightingale who is considered to be the founder of modern nursing.
This year, ANA has extended the week-long celebration to the entire month of May. A month-long celebration of the nursing profession allows for greater opportunities to promote understanding and appreciation of the invaluable contributions of nurses. The month will be divided into four weekly focus areas — Self-Care, Recognition, Professional Development, and Community Engagement.
The theme of this year’s celebration is Nurses Make a Difference, to honor the varying roles of nurses and their positive impact on our lives. Nurses make a difference as trusted advocates who ensure individuals, families, and populations receive quality patient care and services. Moreover, they influence and shape health policy decisions that ensure all Americans have access to high-quality, affordable health care coverage.
The Ohio Association of Advanced Practice Nurses is joining in to celebrate National Nurses’ Week and Month and our amazing APRNs, and taking a moment to acknowledge the collective impact of our profession now more than ever.
At OAAPN, our mission is to promote advanced practice nursing through practice, education, advocacy, and leadership, and are proud of our accomplishments throughout our history. Of course, our strength lies in our numbers, so to all of our amazing members, thank you for your service and commitment to your profession.