From The American Presidency Project, Proclamation 4913—National Recognition Day for Nurses, 1982: “Scientific advancements in recent years have dramatically expanded the role of nurses in our health care system, and their knowledge and skills have increased to keep pace with new technologies and methods of treatments.

“Yet, the very core of nursing—caring for patients at the bedside—remains unchanged. Nurses bring a special compassion and concern for the patient and for the patient's family.

“Nurses play a vital role in educating people in how to avoid illness and promote good health.

“Nurses are essential to every health care setting—in hospitals, nursing homes, ambulatory care centers, and patients' homes.”

According to the American Nurses Association, “National Nurses Week begins each year on May 6th and ends on May 12th, Florence Nightingale's birthday. These permanent dates enhance planning and position National Nurses Week as an established recognition event. As of 1998, May 8 was designated as National Student Nurses Day, to be celebrated annually. And as of 2003, National School Nurse Day is celebrated on the Wednesday within National Nurses Week (May 6-12) each year.