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Nurses Week 2024, running from May 6th to 12th, is a time to acknowledge the incredible contributions of nurses everywhere. This year’s American Nurses Association theme, "Nurses Make the Difference," resonates more than ever. While Nurses Week has traditionally been a time for celebration, 2024 is the year to recognize the challenges nurses face. Many are grappling with mental health burdens, feeling exploited by demanding workloads, and experiencing moral distress in complex healthcare environments. This Nurses Week, let's go beyond applause, and acknowledge the struggles nurses face and explore actionable ways to support them while addressing their needs.
Table of Contents
- The History of Nurses’ Week
- When is Nurses Week 2024?
- What Does Nurses Week Celebrate?
- Freebies and Discounts for Nurses Week 2024
The History of Nurses’ Week
In 1953 Dorothy Sutherland, a healthcare official from the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare proposed a "Nurse Day" to President Eisenhower. The following year the first National Nurses Week was observed in October, marking the 100th anniversary of Florence Nightingale's service during the Crimean War.
In 1974, President Nixon declared a National Nurse Week, and by 1982, May 6th was designated as National Recognition Day for Nurses. Finally, in 1990, the American Nurses Association successfully petitioned to expand the recognition to a full week, solidifying Nurses Week as we know it today.
Conversations about Nurses’ Week are often centered around Florence Nightingale. However, the rich history of nursing extends far beyond one individual. Nurses Week is about celebrating the entire spectrum of nurses who have made significant contributions to healthcare. Here are just a few of nursing’s pioneers.
- Clara Barton: A self-taught nurse who heroically provided care and supplies to soldiers during the American Civil War. Barton later went on to found the American Red Cross, a global organization dedicated to humanitarian aid.
- Mary Eliza Mahoney: The first African American professional nurse in the United States. Mahoney faced significant racial barriers but persevered, paving the way for greater diversity in the nursing profession.
- Dorothea Dix: An advocate for mental health reform. Dix's work led to improved conditions in mental health facilities and a shift in how society viewed mental illness.
- Mabel Keaton Staupers: An African American nurse and activist who fought for racial equality in healthcare. Staupers established clinics for underserved communities and advocated for the inclusion of Black nurses in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps.
- Sojourner Truth: A former enslaved person and powerful abolitionist, she served as a nurse during the Civil War. She cared for wounded soldiers, both Union and Confederate, and advocated for improved sanitation and medical care in military camps. Her dedication to healing and social justice reflects the ongoing commitment of nurses to improve health outcomes for all.
- Virginia Henderson: A nursing theorist who developed the "Needs Theory," a framework that continues to shape modern nursing practice. Henderson's focus on patient needs as the foundation of care revolutionized patient-centered care.
- Susie Walking Bear Yellowtail: A Native American nurse and advocate who broke barriers for indigenous healthcare. Yellowtail was the first Native American nurse inducted into the Nursing Hall of Fame. She tirelessly worked to improve healthcare access and outcomes for Native American communities, while also fighting against discrimination in the nursing profession.
- Jillian Inouy: An Asian American nurse, researcher, and leader. Inouye played a crucial role in establishing the Asian American/Pacific Islander Nurses Association (AAPINA) and is a dedicated advocate for addressing health disparities in underserved communities. Her research focuses on improving healthcare access and outcomes for rural populations.
- Ildaura Murillo-Rohde: A Hispanic nurse and leader who co-founded the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN). Murillo-Rohde is a passionate advocate for increasing Hispanic representation in nursing research, education, and leadership roles. Her work has been instrumental in promoting cultural competency and improving healthcare access for Hispanic communities.
These are just a few examples of the many nurses who have made lasting impacts. Nurses Week is a time to celebrate our rich history of dedication, innovation, and advocacy, while recognizing the diverse cultures and backgrounds that continue to shape the future of nursing.
When is Nurses Week 2024?
Each year, from May 6th - May 12th nurses are recognized and celebrated for the hard work and dedication we put into caring for our patients and the nursing profession with Nurses Week.
What Does Nurses Week Celebrate?
Nurses Week celebrates the dedication and expertise of nurses. For many nurses, it’s a time for us to reflect on our careers and why we chose nursing. During this time hospitals and healthcare facilities across the country recognize nurses with various events, activities, and gifts *cue the pet rocks and peppermints.* You’ll hear the tropes about nurses being “the unsung heroes” and “the backbone of modern healthcare.” But we’re so much more than that. We’re the constant presence at the bedside, the advocates for patient needs, the educators who guide patients through their journeys, and the emotional support system for countless people in the communities we serve. But, this vital role comes at a significant cost.
Nurses Week is also a time for us to advocate for our profession. Nursing, as we know, is often overlooked and undervalued, despite the vital role we play in healthcare, and society as a whole. In 2020, this week happened to fall during the early start of our long battle with COVID-19, when the world saw our work and our sacrifices up close for the first time. Many people across the world gained a true understanding of the risks we take daily and showed their appreciation on so many fronts. As the pandemic settles down and life continues to return to “normal”, we hope that we can use that momentum to advocate for better ratios, mental health support, and more equitable pay. Nurses week is a time for many of us to continue to advocate for nursing and work towards a system that truly cares and values our contributions, beyond one week.
A Call to Action: How Healthcare Institutions Can Champion Solutions for Nurse Well-being
The relentless demands of healthcare has left many nurses with moral distress — a state of emotional turmoil caused by ethical conflicts within the healthcare system. This Nurses Week, let's champion initiatives that empower nurses and prioritize their well-being. Here are some concrete ways you can make a difference:
- Invest in accessible mental health resources for nurses. Healthcare institutions and organizations should provide readily available mental health support services specifically tailored to address the unique needs of nurses. These services could include confidential counseling, debriefing sessions, and peer support groups. Check out some of our mental health resources here.
- Promote open communication. Creating safe spaces for nurses to voice concerns and offer solutions to improve working conditions is essential. Regular feedback sessions and open-door policies with administrators can foster a culture of trust and collaboration.
- Recognize and reward nursing excellence. Nurses deserve recognition for their dedication and expertise beyond Nurses Week. Institutions can implement programs that recognize and reward excellence in patient care, innovation, and leadership. Additionally, promoting nurses to leadership positions can empower them to shape healthcare policies and improve working conditions.
By taking these steps, we can create a healthcare environment that fosters not just exceptional patient care but also the well-being of the nurses who provide it.
Freebies and Discounts for Nurses Week 2024
What says celebration better than discounts, freebies, and special offers? Below you’ll find your guide to the Nurses Week promotions and special deals we could find. (Please note, you may need to show your badge or ID number for some of these benefits!) We’ll be adding to the list as the week goes on and we discover new deals.
At Trusted, we have nurses that work at the forefront of everything we do to help support you. This year our Nurses’ Week theme is “I Am.” It goes beyond celebrating nurses’ professional excellence, and shines a light on the fact that nurses are multifaceted people who lead lives outside of healthcare facilities. Trusted wants to acknowledge your diverse identities and foster a sense of connection within the nursing community. It’s a chance to celebrate each other’s whole selves and remind everyone that you are human first and nurse second.
To celebrate, we will be hosting a giveaway, multiple events for our community, and launching a new SWAG shop where you can get gear to rep your status as a nurse all year round. Check back for more details on these as we get closer to the big week!
Here are the key areas you can check for offers!
- Mental Health Support
- Apparel, Shoes, & Accessories
- Cosmetics, Skincare & Nutrition
- Food & Grocery
- Electronics
- Entertainment & Services
- Home
- Outdoor, Sports & Fitness
Mental Health Support
- Emotional PPE Project: Connects healthcare workers in need with licensed mental health professionals who can help free of any cost.
- Therapy Aid Coalition: Provides pro-bono and low-fee therapy for frontline health care professionals, including individual and group support.
- Don’t Clock Out: Community peer support and mental health resources for healthcare workers.
- Wellness Benefits for Trusted Health Clinicians: Trusted offers access to Spring Health and Gympass free of charge to any nurse on assignment with us!
Apparel, Shoes & Accessories
Cosmetics, Skincare & Nutrition
Food & Grocery
10% off entire check - Outback Steakhouse
15% Off and Free Shipping - KIND
Free Membership - Thrive Market
60% off your first box + First Box Ships Free and 15% Off x 51 weeks for Nurses - Hello
10% off your check - Outback Steakhouse
Electronics
Entertainment & Services
Home
Outdoor, Sports & Fitness
Other potential discounts to be on the lookout for as Nurses Week approaches:
1. Auntie Anne’s National Nurses Week Discount
In 2023 Auntie Anne’s Pretzels gave their Perks members BOGO pretzels (regularly $3.29) through their app or website from May 6 – 8. We expect to see the same deal in 2024.
2. Great American Cookie National Nurses Day Discount
In 2022 nurses received a free chocolate chip cookie (regularly $1.99) from Great American Cookie when you made a purchase in store. You had to show your ID and could get one free cookie per ID. We’re hopeful they’ll bring this back this year!
3. Johnny Rockets National Nurses Week Discount
Johnny Rockets celebrated National Nurses Week in 2023 by giving free milkshakes (regularly $4.29) to nurses when they showed their IDs from May 4 – 10. It was only one milkshake per ID and couldn’t be combined with other coupons or offers.
4. Marble Slab Creamery National Nurses Week Deal
When you showed your ID at the Marble Slab Creamery last year, you got BOGO small ice creams (regularly $5.49). They were limited to one per customer and were available for 3 days only..
5. MOD Pizza National Nurses Day Discount
Last year you could get a Buy One, Get One Free MOD-size pizza or salad when you presented your ID on National Nurses Day, May 9th..
6. Mrs. Fields Cookies National Nurses Week Deal
In 2023 nurses got up to 25% off Mrs. Fields Cookies “Heroes Collection” of gifts during all of Nurses Week.
8. Potbelly’s National Nurses Week Deal
If you showed your hospital ID when you went to Potbelly’s during National Nurses Week, May 6 through May 12 in 2023, you got either a free cookie (regularly $1.30) or drink (regularly $1.35) when you purchased an entree.
9. AllHeart National Nurses Week Discount
Nurses can generally enjoy special savings on a wide selection of healthcare professional clothing and accessories, so be sure to check in for their annual deal!
11. Skechers National Nurses Week Deal
Last year at Skechers, you could earn 2x the points on all work and safety shoes if you were a Skechers Plus member.
12. Chipotle
In 2023, healthcare workers could sign up for a chance to win a 'Burrito Care Package' to feed a group of 50. A total of 2,000 healthcare workers received a 'Burrito Care Package' for their team!
