National Nursing Week (NNW) is the annual celebration of nurses in Canada. This year, CASN celebrates the powerful impact of nursing education on transforming health care. This theme highlights the vital contributions of nurse educators and their students in shaping the future of health care, driving innovation, and advocating for patient-centred care through collaborative learning and practice. Thank you, nurses, nurse educators, and nursing students, for the positive changes you bring to Canadian health care.
Below you will find events, initiatives, and resources to allow you to join us in celebrating NNW 2026 from May 11 to 17, 2026. We invite you to share how you celebrate with CASN on social media using the hashtags #NationalNursingWeek and #ThankYouNurseEducators.
Special Message From CASN Executive Director, Jean Daniel Jacob
“As we celebrate National Nursing Week, I want to express my appreciation for the essential role that nurses play in transforming health care in Canada and around the world. As the Executive Director of the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing, I’m inspired by the extraordinary efforts of the nursing education community in Canada. Their commitment to fostering innovation, excellence, and inclusivity is shaping the future of health care and empowering the next generation of nurses. Together, let us unite in our mission to transform nursing education for the health and well-being of all Canadians. On behalf of the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing, I wish you a Happy National Nursing Week!” said Jean Daniel Jacob, CASN Executive Director.
About National Nursing Week
The week draws attention to nurses, increasing the public’s awareness, policy makers, and governments’ awareness of the many contributions of nursing to the well-being of Canadians.
The International Council of Nurses designated May 12 as International Nurses Day in 1971. In 1985, the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) members passed a resolution to begin negotiations with the federal government to have the week containing May 12 proclaimed as National Nurses Week annually. Soon after, the federal minister of health proclaimed the second week of May as National Nurses Week. In 1993, the name was changed to National Nursing Week to emphasize the profession’s accomplishments as a discipline.
Events
- May 11, 12:00 p.m. ET: CNA Event – The Leadership of Indigenous Nurses: Uplifting the Next 7 Generations | Le leadership des infirmières et infirmiers autochtones : inspirer les sept prochaines générations
- May 12: International Nurses Day
- In 1985, Canadian Nurses Association members passed a resolution to begin negotiations with the federal government to have the week containing May 12 proclaimed as National Nurses Week annually.
- May 12, 12:00 p.m. ET: Free CASN Webinar – Advancing Equity Through Decentralized Nursing Education – featuring Dr. Leigh Chapman, Canada’s Chief Nursing Officer
- May 12, 12:00 p.m. ET: CNA Event – The Power of Nursing Leadership in Politics: Fireside chat with Ministers of Health | Le pouvoir du leadership infirmier en politique: Discussion avec des ministres de la Santé
- May 13, 12:00 p.m. ET: CNA Event – Students and Early Career Nurses:National & Global Leadership to Transform Health | Infirmières et infirmiers étudiants et en début de carrière: leadership national et mondial pour transformer la santé
- May 14, 12:00 p.m. ET: CNA Event – The Power and Impact of Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy & Continence Care | Le pouvoir et l’impact des infirmières et infirmiers spécialisés en soins des plaies, des stomies et de la continence
- May 14: Student Nurses Day
- May 15, 12:00 p.m. ET: CNA Event – The Knowledge Process Model | Modèle de processus des connaissances
- May 11–17: Share photos of how you celebrate NNW on social media by using the hashtags #NationalNursingWeek and #ThankYouNurseEducators or tagging CASN!
Initiatives
Send a Thank You Nurse Educators Card. Every nurse has been inspired by an educator, preceptor, mentor, or role model throughout their professional journey, and we encourage you to tell them how much you appreciate their guidance and support.
- Below you will find a Thank You Nurse Educators Card (available as a fillable PDF) that you can download, fill out, and send to a nurse educator during NNW.
- On social media, we encourage you to use the hashtag #NationalNursingWeek when you share celebratory stories, photos, and messages, and use the hashtag #ThankYouNurseEducators when sharing your Thank You Nurse Educators Cards.
- Follow CASN on X/Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube for more celebratory posts.
Contact Us
CASN member schools of nursing are invited to submit events, initiatives, resources, and/or messages that celebrate National Nursing Week for inclusion on this page. Qualified content submitted to CASN at comms@oldsite.oldsite.oldsite.casn.ca will be included on our National Nursing Week webpage.
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CASN is providing this page as a public service. The content and views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on this page does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by CASN.
