International Nurses Day

International Nurses Day is held on 12th May. This is an opportunity for us to celebrate the incredible work nurses carry out to make a difference to people's lives.

For International Nurses Day, we are recognising all of the fantastic Macmillan nurses involved in providing specialist care and support for people living with cancer.

A female Macmillan Nurse wearing a blue uniform stands next to a hospital cubicle curtain
A female Macmillan Nurse wearing a blue uniform stands next to a hospital cubicle curtain

Celebrating Macmillan nurses

Macmillan Acute Oncology service team standing together for a group picture outside a hospital.

What is International Nurses Day?

International Nurses Day has been celebrated on May 12th, Florence Nightingale’s birthday, for over 50 years. Florence Nightingale is considered the founder of modern nursing. Today International Nurses Day celebrates the contribution nurses make to society.

2024 Theme "The economic power of care"

The theme for International Nurses Day 2024 is "Our Nurses. Our Future. The economic power of care." and aims to demonstrate the societal and economic benefits of investing in nursing jobs and education.

The International Council of Nurses (ICN) has more information about this year's theme plus logos, social media banners and posters you can download to help you celebrate and share the message.

Clare welcoming a Macmillan Professional at her front door, chatting with Macmillan Professionals in her home, preparing food.

What does a Macmillan nurse do?

Macmillan nurses offer specialist information and support for people living with cancer. They are employed by the NHS and their posts are funded by Macmillan for a set time.

If you need support, our experienced cancer nurses can talk you through information about your diagnosis and treatment on the Macmillan Support Line.

Find out more about Macmillan nurses and read a blog about how Macmillan nurses make a difference to our Online Community members. 

How your donations help Macmillan nurses

Your support will help Macmillan nurses make sure people living with cancer feel more in control of their treatment.

Find out more about how your donations help Macmillan nurses.

A smiling Macmillan professional wearing a black headscarf. They are holding a red folder and talking to a person in nurses' uniform.

Resources for nurses

If you are a practice, acute oncology, palliative care nurse or cancer nurse specialist, we have information to support you. Get support for your role.

We have information if you are interested in becoming a Macmillan Healthcare Professional.

A female Macmillan Nurse wearing a blue uniform and a Macmillan lanyard smiling at the camera.

Have a question for a Macmillan nurse?

Our experienced cancer information nurse specialists can answer questions about treatment, side effects and more. 

Visit the Online Community to ask a Macmillan nurse your question.

What's it like being a Macmillan nurse?

We are so proud of our Macmillan nurses and the amazing work they do to support people living with cancer. Hear from our nurses about what it's like to be a Macmillan nurse.
Shez, wearing her dark blue nurse's uniform and a green Macmillan lanyard, is talking to another nurse. They are in discussion.Shez, wearing her dark blue nurse's uniform and a green Macmillan lanyard, is talking to another nurse. They are in discussion.
Shez on being a Macmillan nurse
Shez is a specialist Macmillan nurse who works with brain cancer patients and is often the first person a patient meets after diagnosis.
Ria, a Macmillan Palliative Care Support Nurse.Ria, a Macmillan Palliative Care Support Nurse.
Ria on being a Palliative Care Discharge Nurse
Ria is a Palliative Care Discharge Nurse and helps people living with cancer come to terms with short-term prognosis and assists with end of life care.
Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Specialist Andrew, smiling while looking at camera wearing green Macmillan fleecePalliative Care Clinical Nurse Specialist Andrew, smiling while looking at camera wearing green Macmillan fleece
Andrew on being a Macmillan Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Specialist
Andrew is a Macmillan Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Specialist, who has worked across both community and hospital settings since 2015.

Ways to help this International Nurses Day

Macmillan is here for everybody living with cancer, with our specialist information, support and services. But we couldn't do it without our incredible supporters. Here are a few ways you can get involved.

Campaign with us

Campaign with us to make sure people living with cancer have their voices heard.
Fundraise

Get involved in a fundraising event to raise money for Macmillan.
A green hand holding up a green circle with a white GBP symbol
Donate

Find out more about the ways you can donate to Macmillan.