Happy International Nurses' Day

We want this International Nurses’ Day to be the biggest one yet – highlighting the safety-critical care and remarkable contribution nursing makes around the world.

With around 30 million nurses worldwide, the nursing profession is the largest single group of the global health workforce. Supporting nurses globally raises the profile and power of nursing everywhere, including in the UK.

Celebrate the nursing profession around the world with us today by:

• sharing our International Nurses’ Day film with your community on social media. Focusing on nursing as a global profession, this year’s film highlights the impact of nursing staff across borders and around the world
• recognising colleagues who inspire you and sharing posts, pictures and stories on your social media channels. We have graphics you can download then share using #InternationalNursesDay and tagging @theRCN so we can reshare your posts
• visiting our webpage to find further resources, including posters and Teams backgrounds, to celebrate online and in your workplace.

Today, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) has also published its latest report which outlines how nursing staff are challenging and changing health practice globally.

The findings show that when nursing staff are enabled to work to their full potential, they save lives, improve health outcomes, expand access to care, and strengthen health systems and economies.

The report focuses on seven key nursing powers, each with their own recommendations, such as the power of trust; the power of the professional; and the power of care.

It highlights how nurse-led models of care provide better patient experience and satisfaction, driving equity and prevention of illness and diseases. In countries experiencing conflict and unrest, nursing plays a vital role in preserving the stability of health systems and wider society while maintaining access to essential care in times of crisis.

There's a worldwide shortage of more than 5 million nurses. According to the ICN report, closing nursing and health workforce gaps could save 189m years of life and add $1.1 trillion to the global economy; while scaling up primary care could save 60m lives by 2030.

Speaking about the report, Professor Nicola Ranger, RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive, said: “This report demonstrates, in compelling detail, the value of nursing and why it's so important to invest in the profession.

“Nursing is an incredible career with the potential not only to improve health, but also to transform lives, strengthen communities and drive economic growth. Nursing touches so many lives, yet it lacks the investment it deserves.

“This should be seen as an important reminder of the social and economic case for investing in nursing. Governments must listen and provide the funding to build and protect the workforce needed to deliver the care and services patients deserve, and harness the transformative potential nursing offers.” 

Wishing all our members and nursing staff everywhere a happy International Nurses’ Day.

RCN International Nurses' Day 2026 is sponsored by LV=.