Every year on May 12, the world pauses to recognise the contributions of nurses. In 2025, International Nurses Day arrives with a clear message: protecting the wellbeing of nurses is not just a healthcare priority, it is an economic necessity. The International Council of Nurses (ICN) has set the tone for this year’s observance with a theme that reframes appreciation as investment. From official logos and resources to UK traditions and a look ahead at 2026, here is everything you need to know about International Nurses Day 2025.
What is the theme and logo for International Nurses Day 2025?
Monday, 12 May 2025
Our Nurses. Our Future. Caring for nurses strengthens economies.
Yes – ICN released a new 2025 logo in English, French, and Spanish.
International Council of Nurses (ICN)
Key insights
- International Nurses Day 2025 highlights the health and wellbeing of nurses themselves, shifting the narrative from gratitude to structural support.
- The 2025 theme, “Caring for nurses strengthens economies,” builds on the International Nurses Day 2024 Theme and Recap focus on the economic power of care.
- Nurse wellbeing is framed as essential to resilient health systems, improved care quality, and economic stability.
- Retention, workplace safety, mental health, and professional development are central to the campaign.
- In the UK, the Royal College of Nursing and NHS Employers lead local observances, though events vary by trust.
- Florence Nightingale’s legacy remains the historical anchor for the date.
Key facts at a glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date | 12 May 2025 (Monday) |
| 2025 Theme | Our Nurses. Our Future. Caring for nurses strengthens economies. |
| 2024 Theme | Our Nurses. Our Future. The Economic Power of Care. |
| Governing Body | International Council of Nurses (ICN) |
| Date Origin | Florence Nightingale’s birthday |
| First Celebration | 1965 (by ICN); date formalised in 1974 |
ICN announced the 2025 theme on 9 January 2025. The focus is on the idea that investing in nurses improves access to care, strengthens health systems, and supports broader economic health. The official ICN announcement stated that the new 2025 logo was made available in English, French, and Spanish, accompanying the annual campaign resources and evidence publication planned for 12 May.
The 2024 theme launched a multi-year campaign. Both 2024 and 2025 sit under the same “Our Nurses. Our Future.” umbrella, with each year adding a distinct sub-theme.
When is International Nurses Day 2025 and why is it on May 12?
International Nurses Day 2025 falls on Monday, 12 May 2025. The date is fixed and unchanging. It was chosen because it marks the birthday of Florence Nightingale, born on 12 May 1820, who is widely regarded as the founder of modern nursing.
The decision to fix the date came in 1974, nearly a decade after the International Council of Nurses first began celebrating the day in 1965. Before 1974, the date was not standardised. Since then, 12 May has been the global date for International Nurses Day every year.
Florence Nightingale’s association with the day runs deep. She is known for modern professional nursing, sanitation reform, data-driven care improvements, and the symbolic lamp that remains a central image in nursing ceremonies worldwide. Her work during the Crimean War and her later contributions to hospital design and public health policy established her as the profession’s most recognised figure.
How is International Nurses Day 2025 celebrated in the UK?
In the United Kingdom, the most prominent annual observance is a service held at Westminster Abbey in London. According to the Wikipedia summary of International Nurses Day, a symbolic lamp is carried from The Nurses’ Chapel and passed from one nurse to another, then to the Dean, who places it on the High Altar. This ceremony reflects the strong UK association between Florence Nightingale, the symbolic lamp, and nursing remembrance.
The annual Westminster Abbey service is a long-standing fixture. A lamp is carried from The Nurses’ Chapel and handed from nurse to nurse before being placed on the High Altar. The ceremony is rooted in Florence Nightingale’s legacy.
While specific 2025 event listings were not yet widely published, the established pattern includes the Westminster Abbey service, local NHS trust ceremonies, and activities organised by the Royal College of Nursing. NHS Employers published guidance on 7 May 2025 encouraging organisations to recognise the vital role of nurses.
The Royal College of Nursing and NHS Employers are the primary UK bodies that lead and support International Nurses Day activities. Their resources typically include suggestions for workplace celebrations, social media toolkits, and links to the official ICN materials.
What is the history and significance of International Nurses Day?
The origins of International Nurses Day trace back to 1953, when Dorothy Sutherland, an official at the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, proposed a “Nurses’ Day” to President Dwight D. Eisenhower. That proposal was not approved at the time.
It was the International Council of Nurses that formally began celebrating International Nurses Day in 1965. The date was fixed to 12 May in 1974, aligning the observance with Florence Nightingale’s birthday. Since then, ICN has produced annual themes, campaign materials, and evidence publications to mark the day.
The significance of International Nurses Day extends beyond a single date. It serves as a global platform to recognise the contribution of nurses in public health, acute care, long-term care, and primary care. The day also highlights the social and economic importance of the profession, especially in the context of a global workforce shortage. The World Health Organization estimates a shortage of 13 million nurses worldwide, making IND a critical moment for advocacy.
Florence Nightingale (1820–1910) is widely regarded as the founder of modern nursing. Her work in sanitation, data-driven care, and hospital reform established the foundations of the profession. Her birthday, 12 May, was chosen as the fixed date for International Nurses Day in 1974. The Florence Nightingale Museum in London preserves her legacy.
What can we expect for International Nurses Day 2026 and International Nurses Week 2026?
ICN has already announced the theme for 2026: “Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives.”
The 2026 theme focuses on structural changes to empower the nursing workforce, the measurable impact of nurses on health systems, person-centred primary care, and evidence drawn from a report titled “Empowered Nurses Save Lives.”
The term “International Nurses Week 2026” is not a globally standardised ICN observance in the same way as International Nurses Day. However, it may refer to broader nursing week activities around 12 May 2026, particularly in national or institutional settings. In the United States, National Nursing Week runs from 6 to 12 May. In Canada, National Nursing Week includes 12 May. In the UK, the Westminster Abbey service and related events typically occur around the same date.
The 2026 theme continues the multi-year campaign arc:
- 2023: Our Nurses. Our Future.
- 2024: Our Nurses. Our Future. The Economic Power of Care.
- 2025: Our Nurses. Our Future. Caring for nurses strengthens economies.
- 2026: Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives.
How can I participate in International Nurses Day 2025?
Healthcare professionals, organisations, and members of the public can take part in several ways. ICN provides an official toolkit and downloadable materials on its campaign page. The toolkit includes the official logo, social media graphics, and resources tailored for different settings.
For UK-based participation, contacting the local Royal College of Nursing branch or NHS trust is the most direct way to find local events. NHS Employers published a news article on 7 May 2025 with suggestions for how organisations can recognise the day.
For the public, small gestures of appreciation are meaningful. Social media campaigns using hashtags like #IND2025, #InternationalNursesDay, and #OurNursesOurFuture allow individuals to share messages of gratitude publicly. Writing thank-you notes to nursing teams or supporting policies that strengthen the nursing workforce are also practical actions.
The European Pain Federation highlighted the theme as “Putting Nurses’ Wellbeing at the Centre,” and the ESICM described it as a call to care for nurses as a foundation for healthcare stability. The Union linked nurse wellbeing to TB and lung disease care. These organisations reinforce the global framing that supporting nurses improves patient outcomes across all areas of healthcare.
Timeline of International Nurses Day
- 1820: Florence Nightingale born on 12 May.
- 1953: Dorothy Sutherland proposes a “Nurses’ Day” to U.S. President Eisenhower; not approved.
- 1965: International Council of Nurses begins celebrating International Nurses Day.
- 1974: 12 May officially designated as International Nurses Day.
- 2020: Theme: “Nursing the World to Health” (Year of the Nurse and Midwife).
- 2024: Theme: “Our Nurses. Our Future. The Economic Power of Care” launches multi-year campaign.
- 2025: Theme: “Our Nurses. Our Future. Caring for nurses strengthens economies.”
- 2026: Theme announced: “Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives.”
What is confirmed and what remains uncertain about International Nurses Day 2025?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| International Nurses Day 2025 is on Monday, 12 May 2025. | The specific logo design details (at time of early 2025 publication). |
| The global theme is “Caring for nurses strengthens economies,” confirmed by ICN. | Official theme for 2026 – ICN may announce later in 2025. |
| Florence Nightingale’s birthday is the reason for the date. | Exact local events in every UK region – check local NHS trust or RCN branch. |
| Official logo is available from ICN in English, French, and Spanish. | Whether 2026 will also include a globally standardised International Nurses Week. |
Why does International Nurses Day matter in 2025?
The 2025 theme explicitly ties nursing to economic growth. The argument, supported by ICN and partner organisations, is that investing in nurses reduces healthcare costs and improves productivity. A healthy, supported nursing workforce is presented as a driver of economic stability.
The global workforce crisis provides urgent context. With an estimated shortage of 13 million nurses worldwide, International Nurses Day serves as a call to action for governments and employers. The UK context adds further weight: the NHS faces recruitment and retention challenges, and IND 2025 is used to advocate for fair pay, safe staffing, and career development.
For the public, the day encourages individuals to express gratitude and to support policies that strengthen the nursing workforce. The core message from ICN is that caring for nurses is not a charitable act but a strategic investment.
What do official sources say about International Nurses Day 2025?
“Nurses are the backbone of every health system. Investing in nursing is investing in health, economic stability, and global resilience.”
— International Council of Nurses
“We celebrate the incredible contribution of nursing in the UK and across the world. Nursing is a safety-critical global profession.”
— Royal College of Nursing
“NHS Employers supports International Nurses Day 2025 and encourages organisations to recognise the vital role of nurses.”
— NHS Employers
Summary: What should you take away from International Nurses Day 2025?
International Nurses Day 2025 is about more than celebration. The official theme reframes nursing as a pillar of economic and public health stability. The date, 12 May, honours Florence Nightingale’s legacy. In the UK, the Westminster Abbey service and local NHS events provide the main points of observance. Looking ahead, ICN has already announced a 2026 theme focused on empowerment. The overaching message from ICN is clear: supporting nurses is an investment in healthier communities and stronger economies. For more background, see the International Nurses Day 2024 Theme and Recap.
Frequently asked questions
What was the theme of International Nurses Day 2024?
The 2024 theme was “Our Nurses. Our Future. The Economic Power of Care,” launching the multi-year campaign by ICN.
When is International Nurses Week 2026?
Exact dates not yet confirmed; typically it begins on May 6 and ends on May 12 (IND). Check ICN announcements.
Is International Nurses Day a public holiday?
No, it is an international observance, not a public holiday. Some organisations host special events.
How can I share appreciation on social media?
Use hashtags #IND2025, #InternationalNursesDay, #OurNursesOurFuture, and tag @ICNurses.
Where can I download the official logo?
From the ICN website (icn.ch) under the International Nurses Day campaign resources.
Sophie Chen is News & Politics Editor at readingwire.co.uk, covering UK and world news, politics, policy and current affairs.