International Nurses Day (IND) is observed globally every year on May 12 to acknowledge and celebrate the vital contributions of nurses in delivering healthcare services worldwide.
- This date commemorates the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale (1820-1910), renowned as the founder of modern nursing.
- The International Council of Nurses (ICN), headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, has been celebrating this day since 1965.
2025 Theme:
The theme for International Nurses Day 2025 is “Our Nurses. Our Future. Caring for nurses strengthens economies.”
- This theme emphasizes the critical role of nurses’ health and well-being in bolstering healthcare systems and, by extension, national economies.
Background:
i.In 1953, Dorothy Sutherland, an official at the United States of America (USA) Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, proposed a “Nurses Day” to then President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
ii.Since 1965, ICN has been celebrating International Nurses Day (IND) annually.
iii.In 1974, ICN officially designated May 12 as IND to honor Florence Nightingale’s birth.
About Florence Nightingale:
i.Born on May 12, 1820, in Florence, Italy, she earned the title “Lady with the Lamp” for her work during the Crimean War (1853–1856).
ii.Founded the Nightingale Training School for Nurses in London, United Kingdom (UK), in 1860, the world’s first professional nursing school.
iii.Advised the British Red Cross and became the first woman to receive the Order of Merit in 1907.
iv.She died on August 13, 1910, in London, the United Kingdom(UK).
v.The Florence Nightingale Medal, established by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in 1912, honors exceptional nursing contributions.
State of the World’s Nursing 2025 Report:
On May 12, 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) and ICN released the State of the World’s Nursing 2025 (SoWN) report, offering detailed insights into the global nursing workforce based on data from 194 countries.
- The report introduces new indicators focusing on key areas like education capacity, advanced practice nursing, and remuneration. It also adds five policy priorities to the existing 12 from the Global Strategic Directions (2021–2025), along with regional data from all WHO zones.
1.Workforce Growth and Shortages
i.Global nursing workforce: 29.8 million (2023), up from 27.9 million (2018).
ii.Current shortage: 5.9 million nurses (down from 6.2 million in 2020).
iii.Projected requirement by 2030: 30 million additional nurses to meet healthcare demands.
iv.The WHO’s 2025 report urges prompt and continuous investment in the nursing sector to strengthen healthcare systems and ensure they are equipped to address both present and future health challenges.
2.Distribution Inequities:
i.About 78% of nurses are concentrated in countries representing only 49% of the global population, highlighting significant regional disparities.
ii.Low-income countries face challenges in hiring and retaining nurses due to limited investments.
3.Workforce Demographics: Approximately 33% of nurses are under 35 years old, while 19% are expected to retire within the next decade.
4.Gender Representation: Women constitute 85% of the global nursing workforce.
5.Mental Health Support: Only 42% of countries have provisions for nurses’ mental health support, underscoring the need for enhanced well-being initiatives.
Global Policy Priorities (2026–2030):
The report outlines several policy priorities to strengthen the nursing workforce:
i.Expand nursing jobs in underserved regions.
ii.Improve education systems and align qualifications with roles.
iii.Enhance working conditions, pay equity, and mental health support.
iv.Develop advanced practice nursing roles (available in 62% of countries).
v.Promote gender equity and protect nurses in conflict zones.
vi.Invest in digital technologies and climate-responsive care training.
ICN Congress 2025:
ICN will host the 30th ICN Congress in Helsinki, Finland, from June 9 to 13, 2025.
- The theme for the congress is “Nursing Power to Change the World,” focusing on the transformative role of nurses in global healthcare.
About International Council of Nurses (ICN):
President – Pamela F. Cipriano
Headquarters – Geneva, Switzerland
Founded – 1899
