6 Reasons to Celebrate Nurses During National Nurses’ Week
Nurses dedicate so much of themselves to ensure our well-being. It makes sense that California and states throughout the country set aside National Nurses’ Week to honor them. While reasons to celebrate nurses should be obvious, this article will explain why they are worthy of our recognition and how to ensure they get the appreciation they deserve.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The History of National Nurses’ Weeks
- Reasons to Celebrate Nurses During National Nurses’ Week
- How to Celebrate National Nurses’ Week
- Ways to Celebrate at a Glance
- Opal Offers Compassionate Cremation Services
- FAQs
- Additional Resources
Key Takeaways
- National Nurses Week was officially established in 1974 to honor nurses for their hard work.
- There are several reasons to celebrate National Nurses Week. Nurses are often the first point of contact during medical visits; they provide a range of medical care, advocate for patients’ rights, help patients reach their health goals, and even provide end-of-life care.
- Los Angeles families can celebrate nurses in various ways, such as sending gifts, leaving a positive review, nominating them for awards, shouting them out on social media, or sending a thank-you note.
Introduction
Nurses have one of the hardest jobs and rarely get the recognition they deserve. Every day at work, they put their mental and physical health on the line and often deal with burnout and stress. National Nurses’ Week is just a small way to show them appreciation.
This article will provide reasons to celebrate nurses during National Nurses Week, but they really should be obvious.
“Nursing is an art, and if it is meant to be an art, it requires as exclusive a devotion, as hard a preparation, as any painter’s or sculptor’s work.”
-Florence Nightingale from the article Our Top 20 Favorite Florence Nightingale Quotes
The History of National Nurses Week
Every year, National Nurses’ Week takes place from May 6 to May 12. The final day of National Nurses’ Week is of particular significance because it’s Florence Nightingale’s birthday, arguably the most famous nurse of all time.
The history of National Nurses’ Week dates back to 1953, when Dorothy Sutherland of the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare proposed to President Eisenhower that a day be created to celebrate nurses. However, it was not until 1974 that President Nixon acknowledged the nursing profession by designating a week in February.
Eventually, National Nurses Week shifted to May, aligning perfectly with Nightingale’s birthday.
Each year has a different theme. For 2026, the theme is The Power of Nurses, recognizing their importance in the medical space.
Reasons to Celebrate Nurses During National Nurses Week
As mentioned previously, Southern California families shouldn’t need a reason to celebrate nurses during Nurses Week, but here are a few that remind you why they are special.
1. They Are Sometimes the First Medical Professional You See
Nurses are often the first healthcare workers you see. They serve as a patient advocate from the first interaction, listening and answering questions, and putting your worries at ease. They can provide a calming presence before you see a doctor.
2. They Are Sometimes the Last Medical Professional You See
Southern California hospice care nurses, or those in palliative care, work with patients receiving end-of-life services, specifically by helping them remain comfortable. A hospice care nurse might not provide treatment to prolong a patient’s life, but they often provide pain reduction measures during their final days. These nurses also offer care and compassion to people and their families during a difficult time.
Hospice nurses often form deep bonds with families over weeks or months, but rarely hear how things turned out after their patient passes. A note sent to the agency after your loved one dies, letting them know what their nurse meant to you, is something many nurses carry with them for years.
3. They Have to Handle All Kinds of Situations
Unlike doctors, who specialize in a single type of medical care, nurses may assist with a range of tasks, especially in hospital settings. One minute, they might help deliver a baby, and the next, they might deliver bad news, making work life an emotional rollercoaster.
Nurses are equipped to juggle everything from paperwork to monitoring vital signs, and they do so while remaining composed, providing a calming presence for their patients. Their ability to stay cool under pressure requires a unique personality, often combined with intelligence, empathy, and a good ear for listening.
4. Their Advocacy
Nursing organizations, such as the American Organization for Nursing Leadership, which comprises 11,000 nurses, actively shape public policy on healthcare issues at the national level, making nurses influential far beyond the patients in their care.
5. They Work to Help Others
Nursing is one of the few professions where the sole objective is caring for others. They go into nursing because they care about people and want to make a difference in their lives- and that’s exactly what they do. Nurses often challenge Los Angeles and Orange county patients to get healthy and provide motivation to improve or get stronger, helping them achieve wellness goals that would otherwise be difficult to reach.
6. Nursing Isn’t Easy
Nurses give so much of themselves, and the job isn’t easy. A Science Direct survey of 2,600 nurses shows that 65% experience high stress. Burnout and short staffing are other issues. Yet, they continue doing their jobs, many with a smile on their faces.
How To Celebrate National Nurses Week
Now you know why nurses are worthy of celebration. But what can you do to celebrate them? Here are some ideas.
Recognition and Appreciation
Show a Southern California nurse in your life how much you appreciate them by:
- Writing a personalized thank you note– handwritten is better than email
- Shout them out publicly on social media, or in a positive online review of the hospital or clinic
- Host a small celebration like a catered lunch, or bring them lunch during their shift
- Giving them a meaningful gift like a spa voucher, supporting self-care
- Submit a formal compliment to their facility
When sending gifts or food to a unit, night shift nurses are almost always forgotten. If you want to make an impression, specify that your gift or food delivery is for the night shift and the day shift. Avoid heavily scented items like candles or strong flowers, as some patients and staff may have sensitivities, which are especially frowned on in a clinical setting. If sending food, individually wrapped or grab-and-go items are best, as nurses rarely have time to sit down and eat.
Spread the Word
Here are some ways you can raise awareness of National Nurses Day and its positive impact:
- Share a personal story about a nurse who impacted you on a blog or social media
- Nominate a nurse for a local or national recognition award
- Tell people in your life about a nurse who went above and beyond to help you
Support the Profession
You can do something good for nurses everywhere by donating and advocating, as follows:
- Donate to organizations that support nursing education
- Advocate for better nurse staffing laws and working conditions
- Support organizations like the American Nursing Foundation, which fund research and relief
Simple Everyday Gestures
Make your interactions with nurses more meaningful in the following ways:
- Be patient and kind, acknowledge how hard the job is
- Ask your nurse how they’re doing, and actually mean it
- If you or a loved one is in a nurse’s care, take a moment to personally thank them.
Ways to Celebrate at a Glance
| Way to Celebrate | Examples | Best For |
| Recognition & Appreciation | Thank you note, gift, social media shoutout, catered meal | People who want to personally honor a nurse they know |
| Spread the Word | Share a story online, nominate for an award, tell friends and family | People who want to raise awareness beyond their immediate circle |
| Support the Profession | Donate to nursing education, advocate for staffing laws | People who want to make a broader systematic impact |
| Simple Everyday Gestures | Be patient, ask how they’re doing, personally thank a hospice nurse | Anyone currently interacting with a nurse in a care setting |
Opal Offers Compassionate Cremation Services
We here at Opal Cremation are so very thankful for all that nurses in the SoCal region and beyond do for the community. They are team players who always want what’s best for their patients and work with a variety of medical professionals and personalities to make an impact. Whether it’s hospice care or helping a child with their first checkup, nurses are special people who hold our hand through life’s scariest moments, and we’re forever grateful for them.
While we don’t credit ourselves with helping families nearly as much as nurses do, we like to think we do our part by offering compassionate, transparent services that get Los Angeles and Orange County families through tough times. We understand the last thing families need when dealing with grief is predatory approaches and complications. Our team aims to make the direct cremation process as simple as possible.
We also work closely with nurses in hospice care, and value the relationships we have formed.
Opal encourages families and hospice nurses to reach out to us to provide the care they need. And you can bet we will be making a special effort to show our gratitude when Nurses Week rolls around.
If you’re navigating end-of-life arrangements for a loved one, our team is here to help with compassionate, transparent, direct cremation services. Choose your location and pricing to see next steps.
Los Angeles cremation • San Diego cremation • Orange County cremation
Contact us, we’re happy to walk you through your options.
FAQs
How can I thank a nurse who cared for my loved one?
There are many ways to thank a nurse who cared for your loved one. You can send them a note, buy them flowers or a small gift, give them a shout-out on social media, or offer a heartfelt personal thanks.
Can I send gifts to a nursing unit?
Yes, most facilities will allow you to send gifts to a nursing unit. However, policies vary by location, and you should call first to determine the procedure.
If you are sending gifts to the entire unit, food or flowers for the break room are typically a safe bet. When sending gifts to a specific nurse, find out their policy on what the staff can accept.
How do I nominate a nurse for an award?
There are various ways to nominate a nurse for an award. Here are some suggestions:
- Contact the facility to find out if they have internal awards and ask about the nomination process
- Get in touch with the American Nurses Association to learn about national recognition opportunities or find local nursing associations that offer similar awards on a state level
- The Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association may offer specialty- specific awards.
When nominating, be specific and personal. Describe a particular moment or interaction that acknowledges the nurse’s impact rather than speaking in general terms. The more concrete the story, the stronger the nomination.
How do I leave a formal compliment for a nurse at a hospital?
Call the hospital to learn about the process for leaving a formal compliment. If you are having difficulty reaching the appropriate parties, it may be better to leave an online review mentioning the nurse’s name and how they helped you.
