International Nurses Day is celebrated around the world every May 12, the anniversary of Florence Nightingale's birth. Nightingale was the pioneer of modern nursing profession. She is known for her activity in improving the medical care given to the poor, and for her political activity to improve the social conditions given to the poor by law. Her experience in treating the wounded during the Crimean War led to the recognition that bad sanitation and nutrition killed many of the wounded. Nightingale published a pioneer book on the subject, established the first secular nursing school and a college for midwifery. In spite of her professionalism she could only advise the Royal Commission on the Health of the Army but could not become a member, that because of being a woman. Florence Nightingal was awarded the Royal Red Cross by Queen Victoria, and was the first woman to be awarded the Order of Merit. Her legacy is still showing the way to the nursing community.

The theme for 2011 is ‘Closing the gap: increasing access and equity’

Nurses in PHR-Israel: One cannot over emphasize the importance of volunteering and member nurses for the mission of PHR Israel, and today is the time to thank them. 136 nurses are registered in PHR-Israel and their annual contribution (from April 2010 to April 2011) stands on 216 shifts in the mobile (75) and open (216) clinics that account for 2,354 hours.