Celebrating National Nursing Week 2025

Celebrating National Nursing Week 2025

May 12–18, 2025

It’s one of our favourite times of the year - National Nursing Week! This year’s theme from the Canadian Nurses Association is “The Power of Nurses to Transform Health”, and we couldn’t agree more.

Nurses are innovators, leaders, educators, and caregivers.

You’re at the heart of health care, and this week is all about shining a light on the many ways you make a difference, not just here at home, but around the world.

We're especially excited to kick things off today, on International Nurses Day and Indigenous Nurses Day. It’s a special moment to recognize the global impact of the profession and the incredible leadership of Indigenous nurses in their communities and across the system.

What is National Nursing Week All About?

National Nursing Week is a time to celebrate nurses and raise awareness of your role in shaping the well-being of individuals, families, and entire communities. It’s also an opportunity to highlight nursing contributions to health innovation and patient-centred care, with a focus on the power of partnerships, advocacy, and expertise.

A bit of history:

• International Nurses Day is held each year on May 12 — the birthday of Florence Nightingale, a pioneer of modern nursing.
• National Nursing Week was officially recognized in Canada in the 1980s, thanks to the advocacy of CNA members and support from the federal government.
• In 1993, the name was changed from “National Nurses Week” to “National Nursing Week” to better reflect the profession as a whole.

Mark Your Calendars — Future Dates

National Nursing Week always falls in the week that includes May 12. Here are the upcoming dates:
📅 2026: May 11–17
📅 2027: May 10–16
📅 2028: May 8–14
📅 2029: May 7–13
📅 2030: May 6–12
📅 2031: May 12–18

We'd Love to Hear from You!

Have an idea for a future theme? Want to share feedback about Nursing Week events or activities? We’re always looking to improve and celebrate in ways that matter to you. Send us an email at info@arnm.ca, we’d love to connect!