Nightingale Moment — Annual Collective Remembrance

Beginning in May 2000, NIGH International Co-Directors Barbara Dossey, PhD, RN, AHN-BC, FAAN and Deva-Marie Beck, PhD, RN, worked with the American Holistic Nurses Association (AHNA)  to create a Nightingale Moment initiative that has since assisted many celebrations to honour nurses and other healthcare professionals, annually, on May 12, Florence Nightingale's birthday. The following information has been developed over these years and expanded by NIGH, AHNA and many others nurses.

The World Wide Commemorative Moment for Florence Nightingale - May 12: Noon, (your local time)

At that moment, every nurse around the world is invited to pause, take a moment of silence or create a healing ceremony or ritual in celebration and dedication of the heart and spirit of nursing. Every year, this creates a wave of healing consciousness as nurses world-wide observe this Nightingale Moment. Our collective goal is to reach every nurse in the world with this message. Please take the time to distribute this invitation by letter, phone, fax, e-mail, meetings, networks, and one-on-one sharing.

Honor Florence Nightingale and her legacy to modern nursing Honor the strength and wisdom of our nursing mission Reconnect with the fire and the soul, the sense of calling in nursing Acknowledge the interconnections and oneness of nurses in the personal, political, social, and scientific domains Relight the lamp and carry the vision of caring and healing into the new millennium Suggestions on how to celebrate: Spread the word about the commemorative moment to your coworkers and friends. Pass out fliers, lots of them. Contact other organizations and association and groups you belong to especially where you share your spirit to seek their support for the Commemorative Moment for Florence Nightingale. Target businesses that may be interested in marketing to or attracting nurses and ask their support. Create a banner and posters to display in your workplace (if permitted). Sponsor a special celebration or reception at a network meeting. Work with local hospital, home health care agencies, and other health-related facilities to set up a special display about the Florence Nightingale Moment. Host a hearing before a city council or hold a town meeting on the recent trends in health care. Request that your city council officially designate May 12 as Florence Nightingale Day. Connect with other groups to hold special programs, retreats (day/weekend) highlighting the Florence Nightingale Moment and her contribution to the profession of nursing.

To assist you with resources for celebrating the Nightingale Moment, AHNA has created a webpage featuring downloads of a Flyer, Blessing of Hands, Proclamation, sample Press Release, and e-News Editorial at: http://www.ahna.org/Home/EventsCalendar/NightingaleMoment/tabid/2337/Default.aspx

Examples of previous Nightingale Moment celebrations are listed here: http://www.ahna.org/Home/EventsCalendar/NightingaleMoment/tabid/2907/Default.aspx

International and National Nurses Week are celebrated around the world during the full week that contains May 12 or within a two week period. Your adoption of the commemorative Nightingale Moment can be a meaningful addition to your local Nurses Week celebrations.

May you be inspired and renewed through this inspired opportunity to remember and share Nightingale's legacy in this way!