May 12 marks the birthday of Florence Nightingale, born in 1820 and widely regarded as the founder of modern nursing for her pioneering work reforming healthcare practices during the Crimean War. The International Council of Nurses began marking the occasion in 1965 and officially designated May 12 as International Nurses Day in 1974. The day highlights the essential role nurses play throughout the healthcare system, serving as the frontline of patient care in hospitals and clinics and often being the healthcare workers with the most direct, round-the-clock contact with patients and their families. Hospitals and professional associations mark the day with recognition ceremonies for outstanding nurses, awareness campaigns about the global nursing shortage, and discussions of challenges facing the profession — including heavy workloads and long shifts — alongside calls to improve working conditions for nurses everywhere.