By Pamayla E. Darbyshire, DHA. MSN/CNS, FCEITR (UoPx)
National Nurses Day is celebrated annually on May 6th to mark the start of National Nurses Week, which runs through May 12th (Florence Nightingale’s birthday) (Gaines, 2026). While first observed in 1954, it was officially established on May 6, 1982, when President Reagan signed a proclamation designating it as "National Recognition Day for Nurses".
National Nurses Week History
The American Nurses Association (ANA, 2026) has announced the theme for National Nurses Week 2026 (May 6–12) is "The Power of Nurses". This theme highlights the profound impact nurses have on healthcare, communities, and patients, celebrating their dedication, expertise, and vital contributions to health and healing.
Focus: Elevating nurses' voices, addressing challenges, and recognizing their commitment to improving health outcomes.
A Brief History of National Nurses Week
National Nurses Week begins each year on May 6th and ends on May 12th, Florence Nightingale's birthday. These permanent dates enhance planning and position National Nurses Week as an established recognition event.
The nursing profession has been supported and promoted by the American Nurses Association (ANA) since 1896. The ANA Board of Directors designated May 6 - 12 as permanent dates to observe National Nurses Week in 1994 and in all subsequent years.
1996 :The ANA initiated "National RN Recognition Day" on May 6, 1996, to honor the nation's indispensable registered nurses for their tireless commitment 365 days a year (ANA, 2026).
January, 1974, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) proclaimed that May 12 would be "International Nurse Day." (May 12 is the birthday of Florence Nightingale.) Since 1965, the ICN has celebrated "International Nurse Day" (ICN, 2026).
For 2026, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) "Our Nurses. Our Future. The economic power of care" has announced the International Nurses Day theme as "Empowered Nurses Save Lives," focusing on providing nurses with safe working conditions, fair pay, and greater authority.
Key Focus Areas for 2026
- Empowerment & Safety: The ICN theme highlights that to maximize life-saving impact, nurses must have authority and influence.
- Economic Power of Care: Shifting the narrative to see nursing as a vital economic investment rather than a cost.
- Balance & Self-Care: Emphasis on nurses resting without guilt and securing a healthy work-life balance.
Case Management Focused Themes for 2026
- Empowered Case Managers Drive Care Coordination: Emphasizing the role of case managers in ensuring safe, effective patient transitions.
- Advocacy in Action: Highlighting the case manager's role as a patient advocate.
- Case Management: Empowering Patients, Saving Lives.
- Coordinating Care, Empowering Futures.
- Bridging Gaps in Care: Empowered Case Managers.
References
American Nurses Association (ANA). (2026). https://pages.nursingworld.org/nursesweek26
Case Management. (2026). Education. https://cmsa.org/education/
Gaines, K. (2026). National Nurses Day 2026: What it is and why we celebrate. https://nurse.org/articles/national-nurses-day/
ICN’s call for International Nurses Day 2026: empower nurses to save lives. (2026). https://www.icn.ch/news/icns-call-international-nurses-day-2026-empower-nurses-save-lives
Behavioral health conversations are complex - and most critical. Many case managers navigate them without consistent training or tools, increasing risks for care delays, quality gaps, and emotional strain for the workforce.
Join us for an interactive, practice-focused Behavioral Health Pre-Conference Workshop. The ""Case Management Behavioral Health Conversation Maps: A Template for Excellence"" will leave you with a powerful, ready-to-use framework to guide you through challenging behavioral health conversations with clarity and excellence.
- When: June 16, 8:15 - 11:15 a.m.
- CEs: 3 hours
- Cost: $119 Early Bird for Members | $159 Early Bird for Non-Members $139 for Members | $179 for Non-Members
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Pamayla E. Darbyshire earned her Doctorate in Health Administration from the University of Phoenix, AZ. She has a master's degree in nursing with a clinical nurse specialist focus on education and over 45 years of nursing experience. Dr. Darbyshire is a long-time member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honour Society of Nursing. In addition, she is a member of the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) National Research Committee, engaged in grant approvals, annual Expo Poster Abstract reviews, AORN guideline updates, and has co-authored for IJEMT, The AORN Journal, Phoenix Scholar, The Qualitative Report and other peer-reviewed journals. She is a Case Management Society of America (CSMA) member. Dr. Darbyshire's commitment to the academic community is evident in her role as a mentor for College of Doctoral Studies students (UoPx), and the ANA mentor/mentee committee. Her research interests include case management, chronic disease, neurodiversity, and the application of artificial intelligence in higher education. She has presented at numerous virtual conferences with an international audience.