Nurses' Day (Kango no Hi)

What Is Nurses' Day?

Every May 12th is "Nurses' Day" (Kango no Hi) in Japan. Marking the birthday of Florence Nightingale, who laid the foundations of modern nursing, it was established in 1990 by what was then the Ministry of Health and Welfare, following a campaign by citizens and experts called the "Association Wishing for the Establishment of Nurses' Day." The aim is to help everyone, regardless of age or gender, nurture the spirit of nursing, caring, and mutual support needed to sustain an aging society in the 21st century. The week from Sunday to Saturday that includes May 12th is "Nursing Week," with events such as "hands-on nursing experiences" held across Japan.

Nightingale and the Rise of Modern Nursing

Nursing developed into a professional field that tends to patients' surroundings and supports their recovery.

• The "Lady with the Lamp" and statistics: Nightingale nursed soldiers in field hospitals during the Crimean War (1853-1856). Death rates are said to have dropped sharply as sanitary conditions improved, and she presented data on soldiers' causes of death in an original chart sometimes called a "coxcomb" diagram. She was both a hands-on nurse and a reformer who used statistics to make her case.
• The start of nursing education in Japan: In Japan, Western-style nursing education began in the Meiji era, including the founding of a nurse training school at Yūshi Kyōritsu Tokyo Hospital in 1885. In 1948, the law now known as the Act on Public Health Nurses, Midwives and Nurses was enacted (its original title used the female-only terms for these professions), establishing nursing as a nationally licensed profession.

International Nurses Day and Nightingale

May 12th is connected to nursing not only in Japan but around the world.

• International Nurses Day: Since 1965, the International Council of Nurses (ICN, headquartered in Geneva) has designated this day "International Nurses Day."
• Nightingale's nursing school: In 1860, Nightingale opened a school to train nurses at St Thomas' Hospital in London, regarded as the starting point of modern nursing education.
• "Notes on Nursing": In her book "Notes on Nursing," Nightingale stressed the importance of arranging the patient's environment, including fresh air, cleanliness, and quiet.

Interesting Facts About Nursing

• Why nurse caps disappeared: Once an iconic symbol of the profession, nurse caps have been discontinued at many hospitals for reasons such as hygiene and ease of movement.
• The character for nursing: The character 看 (kan) in 看護 (kango, nursing) combines "hand" and "eye," and is said to mean shading one's eyes with a hand to look closely. Watching over patients is one of the basics of nursing.
• From "kangofu" to "kangoshi": In 2002, the legal titles for female and male nurses were unified into the gender-neutral "kangoshi." The Japanese name of International Nurses Day was changed accordingly at that time.
• Diverse specialists: The Japanese Nursing Association's certification system includes "certified nurses" and "certified nurse specialists" with advanced expertise, who work in fields such as palliative care, infection control, and emergency nursing.

Tips for Spending Nurses' Day

• Think of the healthcare workers who support your health and your family's. If you visit a clinic, try saying a simple "thank you" to the nurses.
• Keeping in mind the "fresh air" and "cleanliness" Nightingale valued, air out your room or tidy up your surroundings.
• Make time to listen to a family member or coworker without interrupting.
• Read about the history of nursing or a biography of Nightingale to learn about the work that supports the front lines of medical care.

A Caring Heart Widens the Circle of Care

May 12th is a day to reflect on the spirit of nursing -- people supporting people. Just as nurses carefully watch over their patients, we too may be able to notice small changes in those around us. Amid the busy start of the fiscal year, some people may be carrying fatigue or worries. Caring for someone and being cared for in return -- these small acts add up and widen the circle of mutual support. Why not offer a few kind words to someone close to you today?