Happy 200th Birthday Florence Nightingale 

2020 Is the year of the nurse and the midwife. On 12 May we celebrate International Nurses Day, and commemorate the 200th birthday of Florence Nightingale. Also known as the founder of modern-day nursing. Nurses have played a significant role in the history of the profession starting with Florence Nightingale. Today, nurses form part of the working heroes to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

#YearoftheNurseandMidwife

The Year of Nurse and the Midwife strives towards renewing the perceptions of the profession. The NHS has gathered remarkable stories from the general public to attract new healthcare workers and encourage existing staff to continue with their excellent services.

"For the sick it is important to have the best.”  - Florence Nightingale

Support Nurses and Midwives

Share your message of goodwill on the NHS England and NHS Improvement website. May we continue to acknowledge the important role nurses play in their line of duty to improve the wellbeing of many throughout the world.

Read what healthcare workers have to say

Katie Cannon - Community Nurse, Hertfordshire Community NHS TrustI feel that as a nurse I made a difference to my patients’ lives, being able to support them to stay at home and being able to listen to their worries and hopefully provide reassurance. It’s a great feeling when I finish my day to think that I have made a difference to someone’s health, their wellbeing and yes, their lives too. Read more. 

Benash Nazmeen - Senior Midwife and Labour Suite Coordinator, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust

As a midwife I make a daily difference to women and their families, I have been stopped in public places in the past and had an infant placed in my arms that I helped bring into the world. I have been to funerals of babies that have passed away too early and their parents have asked me to attend to help them cope with this tragic loss. When I go to work I want to ensure that I can provide women with best evidence-based care. I want to assure them that I am here to advocate for them and that they are in an environment conducive to their needs. Read more.

For more stories visit the NHS website