Did you come here to know when National School Nurse Day is this year? Or do you want to know why it’s celebrated and its history?
National School Nurse Day has been celebrated since 1972 to honor school nurses. It is celebrated every year on Wednesday during Nurses Week. The nurses week is held between May 6 and 12, every year. 12 May is the date of Florence Nightingale’s birthday. She is also recognized as the founder of modern nursing.
After reading this article, you will know all about National School Nurse Day. Moreover, you will also learn how to celebrate this day and the dates of this day for the next 10 years. Let’s start by uncovering its history.
History of National School Nurse Day
The history of National School Nurse Day starts in Belgium in 1873, when the first nurse was officially appointed. Victorine Lafourcade was the nurse who was appointed. The concept of having a nurse in a school setting was first implemented by Adolphe Pinard. He recognized the importance of health promotion and disease prevention among school-aged children.
The idea of school nursing gained traction and gradually spread to other countries. In the United States, Lina Rogers became the first school nurse in 1902. She started by working in the New York City school system. The dedication and impact of school nurses on the health and academic success of students are now highly recognized.
The National Association of School Nurses (NASN) designated Wednesday of every nursing week as National School Nurse Day. It provided a platform to acknowledge and appreciate the crucial role that school nurses play in creating a healthy school environment. It reminds us of the ongoing commitment to the well-being of students by school nurses.
National School Nurse Day has now become a national observance. Starting with NASN, it is now observed by the whole community. It is an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of school nursing. Moreover, it also provides an opportunity to support and gather resources to ensure the well-being of students.
National School Nurse Day for the Next 10 Years
Following are the national school nurse day, date, and days for the next 10 years. Knowing these dates will help you plan your events well ahead of this special day.
| Year | Weekday and date |
| 2024 | Wed, 8 May |
| 2025 | Wed, 7 May |
| 2026 | Wed, 6 May |
| 2027 | Wed, 12 May |
| 2028 | Wed, 10 May |
| 2029 | Wed, 9 May |
| 2030 | Wed, 8 May |
| 2031 | Wed, 7 May |
| 2032 | Wed, 12 May |
| 2033 | Wed, 11 May |
How Do You Celebrate National School Nurse Day?
Celebrating National School Nurse Day is a wonderful way to express appreciation for the vital role that school nurses play. Here are some ideas to celebrate this special day:
- Recognition and Appreciation: Start the day by publicly acknowledging and appreciating the school nurse(s) on every platform. Write thank-you notes or create cards expressing gratitude for the school nurse’s.
- Decorate and theme: Select a theme for the day, like “Health Heroes,” and add it to your decorations. Decorate the nurse’s school or office with banners or posters.
- Staff Appreciation: Collaborate with other staff members to organize a small celebration. Creating a “Wall of Thanks” and a dinner together are some good ideas. .
- Professional Development: Arrange workshops to spread awareness about school nursing. Provide opportunities for the school nurse to share their expertise and experiences with colleagues.
- Community Engagement: Local businesses or organizations could play a role in it as well by offering discounts or special offers on this day. Local media should also highlight the importance of school nurses in the community.
- Professional Recognition: Nominate the school nurse for local or national awards to recognize their outstanding contributions to the field. Organize events on your level to publicly acknowledge the school nurse’s achievements.
Final Words
National School Nurse Day celebrates the key role school nurses play in fostering a healthy educational environment. It recognizes the dedication and impact of school nurses on students’ health and academic success.
Plan it in advance so you can celebrate it well and play your role in thanking nurses for their services. This day reminds us to support these professionals more and more who are looking after our future.
