International Nurses Day is observed globally on May 12th each year.
This date was chosen to honor Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, as it is her birthday.
The day serves to highlight the crucial contributions that nurses make to society and the healthcare system.
The International Council of Nurses (ICN) prepares and distributes resources and evidence to celebrate this day.
Why Other Options Were Wrong
Option A: 5th September is celebrated as Teachers' Day in India, not International Nurses Day. It marks the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the second President of India.
Option B: 7th April is celebrated as World Health Day. It marks the date of the establishment of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948.
Option C: 1st December is observed as World AIDS Day. It is a day dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic and mourning those who have died of the disease.
Related Visual
Clinical Relevance
Nursing practice connection: Knowing Important dates in healthcare and nursing helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Recognizing International Nurses Day is part of professional awareness, fostering a sense of identity, pride, and global community among nurses.
It provides an opportunity for hospitals and healthcare organizations to acknowledge the dedication and hard work of their nursing staff, which can boost morale and retention.
What if the question asked for the theme of International Nurses Day? The answer would change annually, as the International Council of Nurses (ICN) sets a new theme each year (e.g., 'Our Nurses. Our Future. The economic power of care' for 2024). Nurses should stay updated on these themes.
How to Approach the Question
First, identify the core of the question, which is asking for a specific, well-known date in the nursing world.
This is a factual recall question. Access your memory for important dates related to nursing and healthcare.
Evaluate each option. 12th May is strongly associated with Florence Nightingale, the icon of nursing.
Mentally cross-check the other options. You might recognize 7th April as World Health Day or 1st December as World AIDS Day, which helps confirm they are incorrect for this question.
Select the option that directly corresponds to the birth anniversary of the founder of modern nursing, which is the established date for International Nurses Day.
Concept Tested & Keywords
Concept Tested: Important dates in healthcare and nursing.
Stem keywords: International nurse day, celebration
Lead-in keywords: is on
Question ID
QwaQksM6nv52sNd-7t12Vx
Reference Book
E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor p. 71-73
Practise the full NHM UP Staff Nurse - 2017
Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.