National Nursing Week 2025: Celebrating the Power and Impact of Nurses
- t2diabetesnetwork
- 1 day ago
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Updated: 12 hours ago
✅ May 12–18, 2025: Celebrate the power of nurses to transform health.
✅ Virtual Events: Join sessions on nursing, primary care, research, and more.
✅ Advocacy & Leadership: Unified voice for equity, inclusion, and nursing leadership.
✅ Special Recognition: Honoring critical care nurses and nursing educators.
The Power of Nurses to Transform Health
May 12–18, 2025 marks National Nursing Week (NNW) in Canada—a time to recognize and celebrate the unwavering dedication, compassion, and leadership of nurses in every corner of our healthcare system. This year’s theme, “The Power of Nurses to Transform Health,” acknowledges the transformative role nurses play in shaping better health outcomes for individuals and communities, in Canada and around the world.
This annual celebration is rooted in the legacy of Florence Nightingale, whose birthday, May 12, is internationally recognized as International Nurses Day. Each year, national and provincial nursing organizations coordinate a wide range of events and initiatives to amplify the contributions of nurses and nurse educators.
Why Do We Celebrate National Nursing Week in Canada?
This observance recognizes the invaluable contributions of nurses to the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities across the country.
The celebration was officially established in 1971 by the International Council of Nurses, and in 1985, the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) passed a resolution to negotiate with the federal government to declare the week containing May 12 as National Nurses Week. This was renamed National Nursing Week in 1993 to better reflect the scope and professionalism of nursing in Canada.
Nursing isn’t just a profession - it’s a driving force for better health outcomes and stronger care systems - International Council of Nurses (ICN)
Nursing Week serves not only to honour the dedication, compassion, and expertise of nurses, but also to advocate for their professional needs and highlight their leadership in advancing safe, equitable, high-quality care for all Canadians. Each year, a national theme is chosen to reflect current priorities and celebrate nurses’ role in transforming health systems.
Filmmaker Carolyn Jones: “Nurses know more about who we are and what makes us tick than anybody else”
Carolyn Jones spent five years interviewing, photographing and filming nurses across America, traveling to places dealing with some of the nation's biggest public health issues. She shares personal stories on TED of unwavering dedication in this celebration of the everyday heroes who work at the front lines of health care.
So What's Happening In Canada for Nurse's Week?
National Nursing Week 2025 is a time to honour, celebrate, and elevate the contributions of nurses across Canada. This year’s theme, “The Power of Nurses to Transform Health,” is brought to life through a wide range of events and initiatives hosted by leading nursing organizations across the country. From virtual learning sessions and leadership panels to public engagement campaigns and professional development opportunities, nurses are being recognized for their critical role in shaping the health system of today and tomorrow.
Organizations such as the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA), Nurses and Nurse Practitioners of BC (NNPBC), British Columbia Nurses Union (BCNU), and the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN) have come together to offer diverse programming that highlights innovation, equity, research, and collaboration across all domains of nursing practice.
The CNA is leading this year’s NNW theme and offering a variety of virtual events:
May 12, 12:00 p.m. ET: The Role of Nurses in Indigenous Health Care – a CNA-hosted virtual discussion.
May 13, 12:00 p.m. ET: The Power of Nurses to Transform Our Health, Our Future and Our Planet – CNA Webinar.
May 15, 12:00 p.m. ET: The Power of Nurses to Transform Care with Artificial Intelligence – CNA Webinar.
May 16: CNA Fireside Chat With Nursing Leaders and a virtual King Charles III Coronation Medal recognition event.
The Nurses and Nurse Practitioners of British Columbia (NNPBC) are celebrating National Nursing Week 2025 with a rich Virtual Learning Series from May 12 to 16, showcasing the innovation, leadership, and impact of nurses across the province. This year’s theme, The Power of Nurses to Transform Health, is brought to life through a week of interactive sessions that reflect NNPBC’s commitment to health equity, system transformation, and unified nursing leadership.
Monday, May 12 | 12–1 p.m. PT Lunch & Learn: Indigenous Nursing Services. A focused session on Indigenous-led nursing services and culturally safe care.
Tuesday, May 13 | 12–1 p.m. PT Lunch & Learn: Nursing Initiatives for Primary Care. Innovations led by nurses in improving access and delivery of primary health care.
Wednesday, May 14 | 12–1 p.m. PT Fireside Chat: The Power of the Unified Nursing Voice. A conversation on collective nursing leadership at provincial, national, and international levels.
Thursday, May 15 | 11 a.m.–12 p.m. PT Lunch & Learn: NP Regional Leadership Team. Insights from nurse practitioner leaders across B.C. on regional priorities and impact.
Friday, May 16 | 11 a.m.–12 p.m. PT Fireside Chat: Engaging in Nursing Research and Quality Improvement. Highlighting how nurses are advancing practice through research and innovation.
📌 Click here to register for the sessions
The NNPBC recognizes and celebrates the vital role of nurses across all designations—LPNs, RNs, RPNs, and NPs—and continues to advocate for a unified and inclusive nursing voice in B.C.'s evolving health system. Their activities also reflect a deep respect for Indigenous Peoples and a strong organizational commitment to anti-racism and social justice.
BCNU is honouring National Nursing Week 2025 with several engaging initiatives:
There will be various member outreach events throughout the North East region for National Nursing Week.
A BCNU campaign vehicle will be on site. Check out the BCNU Events Calendar for local activities.
Province-wide radio tributes by BCNU President Adriane Gear highlighting the role of nurses in every care setting.
Sponsorship of four members, including one Indigenous nurse, to attend the International Council of Nurses Congress in Helsinki.
A special webinar on May 14 at 12 p.m. PDT for National Nursing Student Day, focused on union commitments to anti-racism and inclusion.
Regional events across BC, including community celebrations and wellness-focused workshops.
CASN is spotlighting the vital role of nursing education with the theme “The Powerful Impact of Nursing Education on Transforming Health Care.” Their programming highlights some from the afore mentioned programs and includes:
May 10: University of Alberta Open House – Celebrate nursing history, student voices, and the legacy of U of A’s globally recognized program.
May 12: International Nurses Day & CNA session on Nurses in Indigenous Health Care.
May 13: CNA webinar on Nurses Transforming Health, the Future, and the Planet.
May 14: National Nursing Student Day & CASN’s Virtual Vendor Showcase for nursing educators and decision-makers, (10 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET) open to educators and students across Canada.
May 15: CNA webinar on Artificial Intelligence in Nursing Care.
May 16: CNA Fireside Chat with Nursing Leaders and a Coronation Medal Recognition Event.
May 17–18: Weekend for reflection and celebration—share your stories and photos online.
Thank You Nurse Educators Cards: A downloadable card for expressing gratitude to nurse educators, preceptors, and mentors.
Encouraging schools to submit events, stories, or shoutouts to be featured on the CASN NNW page.
Join the Celebration
Whether you are a nurse, student, educator, administrator, or supporter, National Nursing Week 2025 is an opportunity to pause, reflect, and celebrate the difference nurses make every day. From bedside to boardroom, from classroom to community, the power of nurses to transform health is undeniable.
📣 How are you celebrating NNW 2025? Share your stories and photos.
Let’s honour and uplift the profession that continues to carry us forward.
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