National Student Nurses Day2026 · Date · History · Messages
The American Nurses Association states that its Board, at the request of the National Student Nurses Association, designated May 8 in 1997 and that the day was celebrated annually as of 1998.
About National Student Nurses Day
National Student Nurses Day is observed on May 8 during National Nurses Week in the United States.
The American Nurses Association says its Board of Directors designated May 8 as National Student Nurses Day in 1997 at the request of the National Student Nurses Association.
Why National Student Nurses Day matters
The day recognizes nursing students and their role in preparing for professional nursing practice.
It is a professional-recognition observance; the reviewed evidence does not establish it as a federal public holiday or as changing education, licensure or clinical requirements.
History of National Student Nurses Day
ANA’s official National Nurses Week history records that its Board acted in 1997, at NSNA’s request, to designate May 8 as National Student Nurses Day.
The same ANA history states that May 8 was designated for annual celebration as of 1998 within the permanent May 6–12 National Nurses Week period.
NSNA has continued to acknowledge the May 8 recognition in its own materials.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
National Student Nurses Association (request to ANA)
ANA states that the 1997 designation was made at the request of the National Student Nurses Association.
American Nurses Association Board of Directors
1997 ANA Board of Directors designation
First documented observance
ANA states that as of 1998, May 8 was designated National Student Nurses Day to be celebrated annually.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
4 fields not established in reviewed sources
Also known as
National Student Nurse Day
How to Observe National Student Nurses Day
Recognize nursing students, clinical instructors and mentors without sharing patient or student information that should remain private.
Use the day to learn about accredited nursing education, professional standards and student support resources.
Schools and organizations can highlight student service, learning and leadership without implying that recognition changes licensure or scope-of-practice rules.
Thank students for their work and training in specific, respectful terms.
National Student Nurses Day Facts
National Student Nurses Day is observed on May 8.
ANA says its Board designated the date in 1997 at the request of NSNA.
ANA’s history describes annual celebration as of 1998.
The day falls within National Nurses Week, May 6–12.
The reviewed evidence does not establish a federal public-holiday status.
National Student Nurses Day Messages
Celebrate nursing students without sharing private patient or student information.
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
- Health Information Not Medical Advice.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
American Nurses Association — National Nurses Week history (opens in a new tab)
Professional Association
National Student Nurses’ Association — Image of Nursing Guidelines (opens in a new tab)
Professional Association Current Use
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is National Student Nurses Day?
8 May The documented recurrence rule is: 8 May.
Does National Student Nurses Day fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is National Student Nurses Day an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: United States / student nursing recognition. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes National Student Nurses Day?
The reviewed sources identify American Nurses Association Board of Directors as the proclaiming or establishing body. The proposer or originator is recorded separately as National Student Nurses Association (request to ANA).
Is National Student Nurses Day international or country-specific?
This observance is specific to United States. Its fuller verified scope is: United States / student nursing recognition.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-10-03.
When is National Student Nurses Day?
It is observed on May 8.
Who designated the day?
The American Nurses Association says its Board of Directors designated May 8 in 1997 at the request of the National Student Nurses Association.
When did annual celebration begin?
ANA’s history says May 8 was designated for annual celebration as of 1998.
Is it a federal public holiday?
No federal public-holiday status is established in the reviewed sources; it is a professional recognition within National Nurses Week.
Other observances on May 8
These observances are also listed on May 8, 2027.
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A/RES/59/26