National Nurses Day, also known as National RN Recognition Day, is celebrated on May 6th and opens National Nurses Week. National Nurses Week is one of the nation's largest health care events, recognizing the contributions and commitments nurses make and educating the public about the significant work they perform. The American Nurses Association supports and encourages National Nurses Week through state and district nurses associations, educational facilities, and independent health care companies and institutions.

The history of Nurses Day can be traced back to 1953 when Dorothy Sutherland of the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare sent a proposal to President Eisenhower to proclaim a "Nurse Day" in October of the following year. The proclamation was never made, but the following year National Nurses Week was observed from October 11-16, marking the 100th anniversary of Florence Nightingale's mission to Crimea.

source: www.calendar-updates.com