Nursing appreciation and awareness days provide opportunities throughout the year to recognize the dedication, expertise, and impact of nurses across all healthcare settings. From National Nurses Week to specialty nursing observances, these dates celebrate the essential role nurses play in improving patient outcomes and advancing healthcare. Use these 2026 nursing appreciation dates to stay informed about key recognition events and plan meaningful ways to honor nursing professionals.
Key takeaways
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Nurses show up day after day with resilience, grace, and a deep commitment to healing. Whether they’re at the bedside, in the OR, in community health settings, or leading teams, nurses make an immeasurable impact on patient lives and healthcare outcomes.
However, the reality is their job isn't easy. Staffing shortages, burnout, and increasing demands often go hand-in-hand with the calling to care. Even so, nurses continue to rise to the challenge, carrying the weight of others' pain while offering comfort, skill, and compassion.
"Recognition isn’t only a plaque, a shoutout, or a free lunch. It’s about pausing to say: ‘We hear you. We see you. We appreciate you,’" said Cara Lunsford, RN, Vice President of Clinical Solutions at Relias. “When nurses are given a seat at the table, it renews the sense of purpose that drives nurses to keep doing this incredibly human work.”
Celebrating nurses shouldn’t be a once-a-year event. However, taking the time to recognize them during key appreciation weeks and awareness days is one way to make gratitude part of the culture. Use this updated list of 2026 nurse appreciation dates to guide your planning — and encourage leaders, colleagues, and interdisciplinary team members to do the same.
2026 nurse appreciation dates by month
January
- National Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Week — Jan. 18–24
- National IV Nurse Week — Jan. 26–30
February
- PeriAnesthesia Nurse Awareness Week — Feb. 2–8
- Ambulatory Care Nurses Week — Feb. 9–13
- Cardiovascular Professionals Week — Feb. 7–15
- Critical Care Transport Nurses Day — Feb. 18
March
- GI Nurses & Associates Week — March 15–26
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Week — March 15–21
- Health Workforce Well-Being Day — March 18
- Certified Nurses Day — March 19
April
- Occupational Health Nursing Week — April 5–11
- Radiological and Imaging Nurses Day — April 11
- WOC Nurse Week — April 12–18
- Transplant Nurses Week — April 19–25
May — National Nurses Week
- National Critical Care Awareness and Recognition Month
- Oncology Nursing Month
- National Nurses Month
- National Nurses Day — May 6
- National Student Nurses Day — May 8
- National School Nurse Day — May 6 (celebrated on the Wednesday of National Nurses Week)
- Nursing Informatics Day — May 12
- International Nurses Day — May 12
- National Nurses Week — May 6–12
- National Skilled Nursing Care Week — May 10–16
- Neuroscience Nurses Week — May 10–16
June
- National Healthcare Recruiter Recognition Day — June 2
- Certified Nursing Assistants Week — June 11–17
August
- Health Unit Coordinator Recognition Week — August 23–29
September
- National Clinical Nurse Specialist Recognition Week — Sept. 1–7
- National Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses Day — Sept. 8
- Vascular Nurses Week — Sept. 6–12
- Nephrology Nurses Week — Sept. 6–12
- National Neonatal Nurses Day — Sept. 15
- National Neonatal Nurses Week — Sept. 12–18
- Nursing Professional Development Week — Sept. 13–19
October
- National Midwifery Week — Oct. 4–10
- Pediatric Nurses Week — Oct. 5–9
- Sterile Processing Week — Oct. 11–17
- National Case Management Week — Oct. 11–17
- Emergency Nurses Week — Oct. 11–17
- Emergency Nurses Day — Oct. 14
- Perinatal Nurses Week — Oct. 9–15
- International Infection Prevention Week — Oct. 18–24
- Healthcare Quality Week — Oct. 18–24
- National Respiratory Care Week — Oct. 25–31
- National Orthopaedic Nurses Week — Oct. 26–30
- International Orthopaedic Nurses Day — Oct. 30
November
- National Care at Home Month
- National Hospice and Palliative Care Month
- Med-Surg Nurses Week — Nov. 1–7
- Urology Nurses and Associates Week — Nov. 1–7
- Hospice and Palliative Care Week — Nov. 1–7
- National Medical Staff Services Awareness Week — Nov. 1–7
- Forensic Nurses Week — Nov. 2–8
- National Nurse Practitioner Week — Nov. 8–14
- Perioperative Nurses Week — Nov. 8–14
- Home Care Week — Nov. 8–14
- Home Health Week — Nov. 22–28
Quick reference: 2026 nursing recognition dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| National Nurses Day | May 6 |
| National Nurses Week | May 6–12 |
| International Nurses Day | May 12 |
| Certified Nurses Day | March 19 |
| National School Nurse Day | May 6 |
Final thoughts on nurse appreciation
Appreciating nurses isn’t just a kind gesture — it’s part of building a culture where compassion, resilience, and expertise are seen and valued. These designated dates are a great place to start, but meaningful recognition should be woven into every single day.
Frequently asked questions
When is National Nurses Week?
National Nurses Week is celebrated annually from May 6 through May 12. The week begins with National Nurses Day on May 6 and concludes on International Nurses Day on May 12, honoring the vital role nurses play in patient care and the healthcare system.
When is National Nurses Day?
National Nurses Day is observed each year on May 6. It marks the start of National Nurses Week and provides an opportunity to recognize and thank nurses for their dedication, compassion, and commitment to improving patient outcomes.
What is International Nurses Day?
International Nurses Day is celebrated annually on May 12, the birthday of modern nursing pioneer Florence Nightingale. The day recognizes the contributions of nurses worldwide and highlights the impact of the nursing profession on global health and patient care.
Why are nursing awareness days important?
Nursing awareness days provide opportunities to recognize the essential contributions nurses make to healthcare, patient safety, and community well-being. These observances help raise awareness of the nursing profession, celebrate nurses' achievements, promote professional development, and encourage appreciation for the critical role nurses play in improving health outcomes.
