National Certified Nurses Day

National Certified Nurses Day is celebrated annually on March 19 to recognize the achievements and dedication of certified nurses. These professionals go above and beyond in their field, earning specialized credentials to provide the highest standard of care. The day honors their expertise, commitment to patient safety, and the essential role they play in healthcare systems worldwide.

The celebration was first established in honor of Dr. Margretta “Gretta” Madden Styles, a pioneer in nursing certification. Her vision of advancing nursing practices through certification has shaped the profession and elevated patient care standards. National Certified Nurses Day highlights the value of lifelong learning and professional development in nursing.

There are a few other similar days in the DigitalHygge National Day Calendar, like National Nurses Day (May 6) and National Emergency Nurses Day (second Wednesday of October). These are great opportunities to show some love to nurses across different specialties. If you’re interested in more ways to recognize the hardworking professionals in healthcare, our calendar has plenty of other days worth noting. It’s a handy resource to keep on top of all the important dates and make sure your appreciation is always on point.

When Is National Certified Nurses Day Celebrated?

National Certified Nurses Day is observed every year on March 19, marking Dr. Gretta Styles’ birthday. It’s a special occasion to acknowledge certified nurses and their dedication. Here’s a look at the upcoming dates:

Fun Facts About Certified Nurses

Certified nurses are an essential part of the healthcare system. National Certified Nurses Day reminds us of the dedication and expertise certified nurses bring to their roles. Here are some insightful facts about their work and achievements:

• There are over 180 nursing certification specialties, covering areas like pediatrics, oncology, and critical care. These certifications allow nurses to deliver targeted expertise.

• Studies show that hospitals with more certified nurses report better patient outcomes and higher satisfaction rates. Their specialized knowledge improves care quality.

• Certification is voluntary, reflecting a nurse’s personal commitment to excellence and lifelong learning.

• Dr. Gretta Styles, known as the “Mother of Nursing Credentialing,” helped establish global standards for certification programs.

• Certified Nurses Day encourages healthcare organizations to support and celebrate nurses pursuing advanced credentials.

Ways to Celebrate National Certified Nurses Day

National Certified Nurses Day offers an opportunity to honor these healthcare heroes and promote their work. Here are some meaningful ways to celebrate:

• Thank a certified nurse: Express appreciation to certified nurses you know. A heartfelt note or small token of gratitude can make their day.

• Support certification efforts: Encourage nurses in your community to pursue certifications by providing resources or funding opportunities.

• Share on social media: Raise awareness using hashtags like #CertifiedNursesDay to highlight their contributions to healthcare.

• Learn more about certifications: Explore the various nursing specialties and their impact on patient care.

Before You Go:

We have many more national days lists for you to explore.

• Food-related national days: complete list of national food days, pasta & noodles days, vegan & vegetarian days, mushroom days, ice-cream days, pizza days, coffee days, chocolate days, wine days, alcohol & drinking days.
• Non-food national days: National Days Calendar 2025 (check out the printable calendars in my Etsy shop), National Days for Teachers, and a wide array of special lists such as cat days, dog days, animal days, cleaning & organizing days, book days, music days, family & relationships days, national days for women, stationery days and even Harry Potter days.
• Country-specific national days: Australian national days, more coming soon.