When is International Nurses Day celebrated?

Appeared in: MP CHO-2020

Explanation

International Nurses Day is observed globally on May 12th each year.
This date was chosen to honor the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing.
The International Council of Nurses (ICN) has celebrated this day since 1965 to recognize the contributions of nurses worldwide.
Florence Nightingale's work established nursing as a formal, respected profession and set the standards for patient care and hygiene.

Option A: 12 August is incorrect. This date is celebrated as International Youth Day, not Nurses Day.
Option B: 12 September is not associated with any major global nursing event or figure.
Option D: 12 November is incorrect. While November has health observances like World Diabetes Day (Nov 14), the 12th is not designated as Nurses Day.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Important Dates in Nursing History as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding the history of nursing, including key dates like International Nurses Day, fosters a sense of professional identity and pride among nurses.
It connects current nursing practice to its historical foundations, reinforcing the enduring values of compassion, advocacy, and evidence-based care established by pioneers like Florence Nightingale.
What if the question asked for the date the Indian Nursing Council was established? The answer would be 1947, a key date for understanding the regulation of nursing in India.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question that tests your knowledge of important dates in nursing history.
Identify the key phrase in the question: 'International Nurses Day'.
Recall the historical figure most associated with the founding of modern nursing: Florence Nightingale.
Connect International Nurses Day to Florence Nightingale's birth date.
Scan the options to find the correct date, May 12th.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Q6q4fZik9iXX3pUhHJiAkX

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor p. 71-73

E6 Textbook of Nursing Management and Leadership I. Clemen — Subpart B (pp 328-654 of 982) p. 291-293

Practise the full MP CHO-2020

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.