International Nurses Day 2023: when is day, best quotes, theme explained - who was Florence Nightingale?

International Nurses Day takes place every year, celebrating the work of nurses around the globe.

But when does it take place, what is this year’s theme and what are the best quotes to mark the event?

Here’s everything you need to know.

What is International Nurses Day?

The International Council of Nurses (ICN) has celebrated International Nurses Day since 1965.

People around the globe come together to celebrate the lives and work of nurses, with online events, social media campaigns and a different theme each year.

When is International Nurses Day 2023?

International Nurses Day takes place on 12 May each year. This year’s event lands on a Friday.

In January 1974, 12 May was chosen as the date to celebrate the occasion due to it being the same date as the birth of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing.

What is this year’s theme?

The theme for 2023 is' Our Nurses. Our Future’.

The ICN explains: "'Our Nurses. Our Future' will be a global campaign which sets out what we want for nursing in the future in order to address the global health challenges and improve global health for all. We need to learn from the lessons of the pandemic and translate these into actions of the future.

"With the release of the State of the World’s Nursing report, the Global Strategic Directions for Nursing & Midwifery, the Sustain and Retain in 2022 and Beyond and many other important publications, ICN and other organisations have shown the evidence for change and called for action. It is now time to look to the future and demonstrate what these investments will mean for nursing and healthcare. The 'Our Nurses. Our Future' campaign will shine the light on nurses and on a brighter future."

Best quotes about nurses

‘The character of the nurse is as important as the knowledge she possesses’ - Carolyn Jarvis

‘Every nurse was drawn to nursing because of a desire to care, to serve, or to help’ - Christina Feist-Heilmeier, RN

‘Nurses are there when the last breath is taken, and nurses are there when the first breath is taken. Although it is more enjoyable to celebrate birth, it is just as important to comfort in death’ - Christine Bell

‘As a nurse, we have the opportunity to heal the heart, mind, soul, and body of our patients, their families, and ourselves. They may forget your name, but they will never forget how you made them feel’ - Maya Angelou

‘Nursing is one of the fine arts: I had almost said “the finest of fine arts’” - Florence Nightingale

‘Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around’ - Leo Buscaglia

‘Being a nurse means to hold all your own tears and start drawing smiles on people’s faces’ - Dana Basem

‘Bound by paperwork, short on hands, sleep, and energy…nurses are rarely short on caring’ - Sharon Hudacek