Our Nurses. Our Future. Caring for nurses strengthens economies

On this important day, we join the global community in celebrating International Nurses Day, observed annually on 12 May — the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth. It is a moment to recognise the dedication, expertise, and compassion of nurses worldwide, who continue to play a central role in patient care, health system resilience, and public health outcomes.

The 2025 theme, “Our Nurses. Our Future. Caring for nurses strengthens economies,” builds on the success of last year’s focus on “The Economic Power of Care.” This year, the emphasis shifts to the well-being of nurses themselves — a crucial element for the stability and strength of healthcare systems.

A healthy, supported, and empowered nursing workforce is essential not only for delivering high-quality care, but also for driving innovation, improving system performance, and supporting the broader economic and social development of communities. When we invest in the health and safety of nurses, we invest in the future of healthcare and in the prosperity of societies as a whole.

As part of the intensive care community, we recognise the extraordinary contributions of critical care nurses, whose work in high-pressure environments requires not only clinical excellence, but also emotional strength, resilience, and teamwork. Supporting them is a responsibility we all share.
Today, and every day, we honour their commitment — and call for greater investment, recognition, and protection of the nursing workforce at every level.

International Nurses Day 2025 is a reminder that caring for nurses means caring for the future of healthcare!