Anyone who has ever come in contact with a nurse, whether that be at a doctor's appointment, emergency room visit or hospital stay can tell you how invaluable they are and how often underrated and underappreciated they are. To celebrate nurses and all they do Monday, May 6 is designated as National Nurses Day while National Nurses Week runs from Monday, May 6 through Sunday, May 12. May 12 happens to be the birthday of Florence Nightengale who is credited with founding modern-day nursing.

It was in 1990 that National Nurses Week was declared official after the United States Congress designated May 6th to be “National Recognition Day for Nurses" in 1982. The purpose of National Nurses Week is to allow "individuals, employers, other health care professionals, community leaders, and nurses – to recognize the vast contributions and positive impact of America’s 4 million registered nurses," the American Nurses Association writes. Nurses are the backbone of the health care system and they deserve to be recognized every day, not just during their own designated week.

In addition to being recognized for their work, many companies are offering up discounts and rebates to nurses this week including Amazon, Cinnabon, Sleep Number, and Disney World! Being a nurse is one of the hardest jobs in the world, it seems only right that they are rewarded with some great discounts during their special week!

There are a number of celebrities who were trained as nurses before their big break in Hollywood. Tina Turner, Julie Walters, Bonnie Hunt, and Kim Zociak-Biermann have all worked as nurses before turning to other professions. Real Housewife of Atlanta cast member Tanya Sam was also a nurse and took a moment to pay tribute to her former profession by posting a throwback pic of her time in scrubs on Instagram just last month.

While most would agree that every day should be National Nurses Day, it's a good reminder to take a moment and appreciate the most underrated of health care professionals. Whether you have a friend or family member who is a nurse or there is a nurse who went above and beyond for yourself or someone you know when they needed care, this is the perfect week to make a point of calling them out for their excellence and giving them the recognition they deserve.

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