National Nurses Week 2026: The Hands That Heal

More Than a Job.
A Calling.

National Nurses Week, observed annually May 6–12, culminating on Florence Nightingale's birthday, is a time for our nation to pause and recognize the extraordinary individuals who dedicate their lives to the health and comfort of others.

From the emergency department at 3 a.m. to the gentle touch at a bedside in long-term care, nursing professionals are the connective tissue of our entire healthcare system. They are scientists, advocates, educators, counselors — and above all, human beings who show up with compassion every single day.

This week we honor not one type of nurse, but every credential, every specialty, every setting. Because care has many faces, and all of them deserve to be seen.

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RN

Registered Nurse

The backbone of clinical care. RNs assess, plan, coordinate, and deliver complex nursing care across every healthcare setting — from trauma bays to birthing suites to oncology units.

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LPN

Licensed Practical Nurse

Essential providers offering hands-on, direct patient care. LPNs monitor vital signs, administer medications, and form deep, lasting bonds with the patients they serve every day.

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LVN

Licensed Vocational Nurse

Found predominantly in California and Texas, LVNs carry the same dedication as LPNs — skilled clinicians who provide foundational nursing care with heart and precision.

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CNA

Certified Nursing Assistant

Often the most present caregiver in a patient's day. CNAs provide the personal, intimate care — bathing, mobility, feeding — that preserves dignity and ensures comfort.

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STNA

State Tested Nursing Assistant

Ohio's term for the certified nursing assistant. STNAs are rigorously tested professionals who deliver compassionate direct care in nursing homes and long-term care facilities.

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NA

Nursing Assistant

Under various titles across states, NAs are the foundation of daily care delivery — the first face patients see each morning, the steady presence through difficult nights.

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CMT

Certified Medication Technician

Trusted with one of the most critical responsibilities in care — safe, accurate medication administration. CMTs blend technical skill with attentiveness to protect patient safety every hour.

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This Week Is Yours.

To every nursing professional who has ever felt invisible, undervalued, or exhausted to the bone — we want you to know: the care you give does not go unseen. It ripples through families, through generations, through communities. You are remembered long after each shift ends.

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How to Honor the Nurses in Your Life

Recognition shouldn't stop at words. Here are meaningful ways to show your appreciation for the nursing professionals in your community — this week and beyond.

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🗣️ Say It Out Loud

Write a heartfelt note. Post a tribute on social media. Call the nurse manager of someone who made a difference and tell them specifically what they did.

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🌱 Support Their Wellbeing

Advocate for better staffing ratios, mental health resources, and fair wages. Nursing is a calling — but it shouldn't come at the cost of the nurses' own health.

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🎓 Invest in the Future

Donate to nursing scholarships. Mentor a nursing student. Champion diversity in the field so nursing looks like the communities it serves.

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