Nurses Month Week 2

We dedicate the second week of Nurses Month to recognizing nurses past and present. On Monday, May 11 is Remembrance Day as we take a moment from our day to honor our health heroes – nurses and health care workers who have passed away during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tuesday is the 200th Anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth. Get to know the founder of modern medicine better through our interactive activities commemorating her accomplishments. Think you know her already, take our trivia quiz and find out! During Week 2, you can also read first-hand accounts from nurses working on the frontlines, what motivates them to continue to serve their patients, and what the profession means to them. You will also be able to see the faces of nursing through the amazing photographs they have submitted from around the world. Feeling inspired? submit your own story or photo to our gallery. Do you have a tribute you would like to share about a special nurse or just wish to recognize nurses in general? Complete the form on our recognition page and feel the love we have for nurses from the posts submitted by other visitors. Our second week is packed with activities, stories and tributes to commemorate all that nurses and the nursing profession has done for health care.

200th ANNIVERSARY

GIVEAWAY

A Birthday Celebration

“Nursing is a progressive art such that to stand still is to go backwards.” – Florence Nightingale

As we honor the 200th anniversary of Florence Nightingale we revisit her story to remind us all just how much each of our own contributions can mean. Never forget, from the smallest light can come the greatest of inspirations!

Florence Nightingale is born into a
wealthy British family in Florence,
Italy, and is named for the city
of her birth. However, she grows
up in her family’s many homes in
England. We commemorate her
200th birthday this year.

Hear an audio recording of Florence Nightingale.

This sound recording is a copy made from the original brown wax cylinder on behalf of Wellcome Library by the British Library (18th March, 2004) featuring the voice of Florence Nightingale recorded on 30 July 1890.

Read Transcript | Welcome Library

The Nightingale Pledge

See how the pledge has evolved over the years …

Original Pledge (1893)

I solemnly pledge myself before God and in the presence of this assembly to pass my life in purity and to practise my profession faithfully.

I shall abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous, and shall not take or knowingly administer any harmful drug.

I shall do all in my power to maintain and elevate the standard of my profession and will hold in confidence all personal matters committed to my keeping and all family affairs coming to my knowledge in the practice of my calling.

I shall be loyal to my work and devoted towards the welfare of those committed to my care.

Modern Pledge (since 1999)

Before God and those assembled here, I solemnly pledge;

To adhere to the code of ethics of the nursing profession;

To co-operate faithfully with the other members of the nursing team and to carryout faithfully and to the best of my ability the instructions of the physician or the nurse who may be assigned to supervise my work;

I will not do anything evil or malicious and I will not knowingly give any harmful drug or assist in malpractice.

I will not reveal any confidential information that may come to my knowledge in the course of my work.

And I pledge myself to do all in my power to raise the standards and prestige of the practical nursing;

May my life be devoted to service and to the high ideals of the nursing profession.

Flo Says What?

Practical advice by a sensible woman.

Think You Know Flo?

Take the ANA Florence Nightingale Quiz and find out!