Tasia T. Rasmussen University nursing graduate

The Power of Nurses

Celebrate Nurses Week May 2026

Appreciation for the Heart of Healthcare

As a nurse, you bring your own kind of strength to your work, and it spreads throughout the nursing profession and your community. With your caring heart, passion and expertise, you are truly making a difference every single day.

National Nurses Week is May 6–12, 2026, but let’s use the entire month to nourish your well-being and honor nurses everywhere.

Take me to:

Thanking Nurses for All They Do

Shine a light on nurses and tell them how much you appreciate their hard work and compassion this Nurses Week. From promoting good health to offering peace-of-mind, nurses are pros at positively impacting the lives of others. Are you a nurse? Thank you for answering the call!

View transcript(Scroll to see full transcript)

♪ Thank you ♪
♪ Thank you ♪

♪ Oh For you have been good to me
Have been good You have been good ♪

Speaker 1
I just want to say thank you to my first nurse manager who actually believed in me and allowed me to grow in my next steps as a nurse.

Speaker 2
The nursing experience that inspired me to actually become a nurse was back when my father was in hospice. They were able to give me peace of mind when I was in my early 20s.

Speaker 3
An experience I went through that inspired me to be a nurse is when I had vocal cord cancer, and there was a nurse, her name was Samantha, and she really got me through it all the way, 'cause I was scared.
You know, I thought I was Superman at first, and it was a real vulnerable and trying time. And it was a nurse that, you know, that showed me that attention, that showed that empathy. And she showed me that she really cared, and when I saw that, that's what really inspired me to be a nurse.

Speaker 4
When I lost my mother in the ICU, the nurses were very supportive of my emotional needs at the time. Sometimes they would hug me when she was having tough days, and that meant a lot, and I want to thank them for that.

Speaker 5
This is a pursuit of passion, and it's something that I love. It really is about the folks that we can impact.

Speaker 6
They're just wonderful people, so, thank you.

♪ Thank you ♪
♪ What else can I say ♪
♪ Thank you ♪
♪ What else can I say ♪
♪ Thank you ♪
♪ What else can I say ♪
♪ Oh ♪

- Thank you.
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
- Thank you.

♪ Thank you ♪

- Thank you.
- Thank you, so much.

♪ Thank you ♪
♪ Thank you ♪
♪ Thank you ♪
♪ Thank you ♪

- [All] Thank you.

♪ Thank you ♪
♪ Thank you thank you ♪
♪ Thank you thank you ♪

Ways to Save on Your Nursing Program

National Nurses Week is also a great time to review your career path and goals. If you’re looking to advance your Nursing education further, Rasmussen University Nursing programs can meet you where you are—from a Practical Nursing Diploma through BSN, MSN and DNP.6 Rasmussen offers advanced programs and multiple ways to make your current or future education more manageable.

Connect with our dedicated team of admissions representatives who will walk you through every step to create a personalized education plan.

Request More Information

LPN Care Grant

Save up to $2,000 on your Practical Nursing Diploma and take your first step as a nurse.2

Learn More About the LPN Care Grant

Get Started Grant

Currently licensed registered nurses (RNs) can save up to $1,380 in tuition and fees with our RN to BSN Get Started Grant.4

Learn More About the Get Started Grant

Alumni Grant

Returning alumni could save up to $3,000 on their Associate’s, Bachelor’s, MSN or Doctoral degree.3 Plus, credits you’ve earned could transfer directly into the next degree.

Check Out the Alumni Grant

Employer Benefits

Over 500 employers have an alliance with Rasmussen University that gives eligible employees tuition savings on qualified programs. See how much you can save.

Find Your Employer

Light the Way for Future Healthcare Workers

Be the spark that ignites a future nurse's journey. By inviting a passionate individual to Rasmussen, you’re not just helping them save up to $500 on tuition with the Pass the Torch Grant, you’re guiding them towards a fulfilling career in healthcare. Plus, they may also qualify for additional grants to help maximize their savings.5

BONUS: To thank you for inviting someone to join Rasmussen, you’ll also get a stainless-steel travel tumbler to keep you hydrated throughout the day.

Invite a Future Nurse

"Follow your heart. You will second-guess yourself—I did. But talk to someone. At Rasmussen, everyone has an open door—admissions representatives, professors, even deans. Talking to someone can give you the clarity you need."

Vrinda P.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Take the Next Step—Talk to Us!

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What Comes After Being a Registered Nurse?

You've earned your nursing degree, passed the National Council Licensure Examination and received your state license as a registered nurse—congratulations! You may be asking yourself...Now what? How do I make the most of my nursing education and choose the right career?

A nurse looks out over the hospital courtyard

Explore essential nursing specialty certifications to enhance your career growth. Take the next step in your professional journey.

17 Nursing Specialty Certifications, and What It Takes to Earn Them

A confident director of nursing looking at camera

How to Become a Director of Nursing: A Nurse's Guide

A nurse in a blue blazer goes into a meeting

The Business Side of Nursing: Your Path to a Successful Career Shift

Are Male Nurses in Demand? 5 Factors at Play

Frequently Asked Questions About Nurses Week

When is National Nurses Week?

This year, National Nurses Week is celebrated from May 6-12, 2026, Florence Nightingale’s birthday.
Florence Nightingale is often considered the founder of modern nursing and a catalyst for healthcare reform.
Is it National Nurses Week or Nurses Month?

In 1974, President Nixon officially designated National Nurse Week, then in 1982, President Ronald Reagan approved National Recognition Day for Nurses as May 6.
By 1990, the American Nurses Association (ANA) had the established recognition event expanded to a week-long celebration, declaring May 6–12 as National Nurses Week.
Why do we celebrate Nurses Week and Month?

National Nurses Week is a time to recognize and appreciate the contributions of nurses in the healthcare industry. Nurses are often the first point of contact for patients, and they play a crucial role in their recovery and well-being. This also provides an opportunity to educate the public about the importance of nurses in the healthcare system and health policy.
What can you do to celebrate National Nurses Week and Month?

National Nurses Week and Month is a great opportunity to show appreciation to the nurses in your life. You can send them a thank-you note or small gift to show your gratitude. Some hospitals and healthcare facilities also organize events and activities to celebrate Nurses Day.

If you’re a nurse, do some yoga, enjoy a quiet cup of coffee or reflect on your positive impact.

Be sure to check out our Facebook pages, including campuses, to see what else we’re up to!
When is National Nurses Day?

National Nurses Day is May 6, the first day of National Nurses Week.

May 8 is designated as National Student Nurses Day. Also, the Wednesday within National Nurses Week is recognized as National School Nurse Day.

National Nurses Week and Month are meant to celebrate nurses of all levels and specialties, and the history of national nurses.
What can you do for National Nurses Day?

On National Nurses Day, you can say thank you to the nurses in your life and acknowledge their hard work, dedication and compassion to their patients. National Student Nurses Day is also celebrated for anyone working to make a positive impact on the nursing profession.
It doesn’t have to be expensive or extravagant—saying thank you only takes a second!
Who founded National Nurses Day?

National Nurses Day was founded by the International Council of Nurses (ICN) in 1965.
Are Hospital Week and Nurses Week the same?

No, Hospital Week and National Nurse Week are not the same. Hospital Week is usually celebrated annually in the second week of May to recognize the contributions of all healthcare professionals and workers, including doctors, nurses and other staff members.

Interested in a Nursing Program?

Our dedicated team of admissions representatives can help answer your questions related to tuition, financial aid, admissions and more.

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Call: 833-606-1911

Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation is a registered trademark by the American Nurses Association.
Students who begin the Practical Nursing Diploma program on or after August 2022 and prior to April 5, 2027, may be eligible for the following toward their degree at Rasmussen University:
- A grant worth up to $2,000 to be equally divided across an eligible student’s first four (4) quarters in the Practical Nursing Diploma program.
  - Students will be billed at the standard tuition rate plus applicable fees before the grant is applied. Student is responsible for all applicable book fees. 
  - Eligibility will be verified by the Admissions/Financial Aid Office before the grant is awarded.
- Grant value cannot exceed tuition cost.
For additional terms and conditions, visit the LPN Care Grant page.
Students who have previously graduated from a Rasmussen degree program and begin in an Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master of Science in Nursing, Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificates or Doctoral degree program on or after April 4, 2022, and prior to April 5, 2027, may be eligible for the following toward their degree at Rasmussen University:
- A grant worth up to $3,000 will be equally divided quarterly throughout an eligible student’s first six (6) quarters in their program.
  - Students will be billed at the standard tuition rate plus applicable fees before the grant is applied. Student is responsible for all applicable book fees.
  - Eligibility will be verified by the Admissions/Financial Aid Office before the grant will be awarded.
Additional Terms and Conditions:
- Student must maintain continuous enrollment to remain eligible. A student who withdraws or graduates and re-enrolls may no longer be eligible for the grant. Students who previously received the Alumni Grant are not eligible for the Alumni Grant a second time.
- All entrance and acceptance requirements for the University must be met.
- Grants are non-transferable, and no substitution or cash equivalent/refund is allowed.
- Alumni Grant may not be combined with other grants or scholarships offered by Rasmussen University.
- Alumni of Rasmussen who are enrolling into the RN to BSN program can choose between the RN to BSN Get Started Grant or the Alumni Grant, but cannot use both.
- Students who previously received the Alumni Achievement Grant are not eligible for the Alumni Grant.
- Students with tuition rates at or lower than $260 per credit for full-time rates and $330 per credit for part-time rates are not eligible for any grants or scholarships offered by the University.
  - Students who start in the Master of Science in Nursing degree programs on or after January 2, 2023, may be eligible for institutional grants regardless of program or course tuition rate provided they meet all other applicable terms and conditions for the grants.
  - Students who start in the Nursing Post-Graduate Certificates in Nursing Education, Healthcare Technology, Simulations and Informatics or Nursing Leadership and Administration are not eligible for any grants or scholarships offered by the University.
  - Students who start the Healthcare Certificate, Medical Assisting Diploma, or Healthcare/Health Sciences Associates with a Medical Assisting Specialization programs on or after May 8, 2024, may be eligible for institutional grants regardless of program or course tuition rate provided they meet all other applicable terms and conditions for the grants
- Employees of American Public University System, Inc. and their family members are not eligible for this grant.
- Rasmussen University reserves the right to add, discontinue or amend scholarship and grant programs at its discretion. Any student currently receiving scholarship or grant funds at the time of the amendment will be notified.
- Grant value cannot exceed tuition cost.
This price reflects full value of RN to BSN Get Started Grant. Terms and conditions apply. Visit the RN to BSN Get Started Grant page for more details.
Terms and conditions apply. Visit rasmussen.edu/passthetorch for full grant details. This promotion is not dependent on the referred individual speaking with anyone at Rasmussen University, starting school or taking any positive step toward enrolling in a program. Your referral will be contacted no more than three times by Rasmussen University at the phone number or email address you provide and can opt out of contact at any time.
Program availability varies by campus and state; please see the Rasmussen University Catalog for details.

The Power of Nurses

Appreciation for the Heart of Healthcare

Share Your Nursing Story

Thanking Nurses for All They Do

Ways to Save on Your Nursing Program

LPN Care Grant

Get Started Grant

Alumni Grant

Employer Benefits

Light the Way for Future Healthcare Workers

Take the Next Step—Talk to Us!

Request More Information

What Comes After Being a Registered Nurse?

Frequently Asked Questions About Nurses Week

Interested in a Nursing Program?