Nurses Make Up the Largest Healthcare Workforce

Nurses are the largest group of healthcare professionals in the world. In the U.S., there are over 4 million registered nurses (RNs), making up about 30% of the entire healthcare workforce.According to the WHO report from 2020, the global nursing workforce was estimated at approximately 27 million nurses globally

Florence Nightingale: The Founder of Modern Nursing

Florence Nightingale (1820–1910), often considered the founder of modern nursing, revolutionized healthcare during the Crimean War (1853–1856).She reduced the death rate in military hospitals from 42% to 2% by improving sanitation, hygiene, and overall care. Her work laid the foundation for hospitals' infection control practices and nursing education.

The First Male Nurse in the U.S. Army

Private Johnathan Letterman is known as the father of battlefield medicine in the United States. During the American Civil War, he was instrumental in developing the first organized system of triage and ambulance services, helping to save countless lives.While many early nurses were women, male nurses like Letterman were also involved, especially in military settings. By the early 1900s, male nurses began to enter civilian nursing professions as well.

The Birth of Nurse Anesthesia

The first nurse anesthetist is considered to be Alice Magaw (1860–1928), known as the "Mother of Nurse Anesthesia."In 1893, she became one of the first nurses to administer anesthesia at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Her techniques in administering ether for surgeries became widely recognized and improved the safety and effectiveness of surgical procedures.

Nurses in Space

NASA has employed nurses as part of the astronaut support team. Nurses trained in flight medicine are part of the team that prepares astronauts for space missions, ensuring their health and wellness both before and after launch.In 1986, Dr. Mary L. E. Lowe, a nurse, became one of the first women and nurses to serve as an astronaut medical officer, contributing to the development of space health.

The Power of Coffee

Nurses are often known for their love of coffee. In fact, some hospitals have been known to say, "A nurse without coffee is like a patient without a pulse."

Longest Nursing Shift Ever Worked

Record Holder: Carmen M. Colón, a nurse from the United States, worked an extraordinarily long shift of 44 hours without taking any rest.Achievement: This record was set in 2011, showcasing the incredible stamina and dedication nurses often show during long shifts in high-pressure environments. Nurses working shifts of 12+ hours is common, but Carmen's achievement was exceptional.

Largest Gathering of People Wearing Nurse Uniforms

Record Holder: This record was set in Australia in 2015 when 1,456 people gathered at a single event wearing nurse uniforms to break the record.

Most People Receiving Free Blood Pressure Tests in One Hour

Record Holder: A nurse-led initiative in the UK set the record by providing free blood pressure tests to over 2,000 people in a single hour.

The nursing shortage is a critical issue globally, and it is expected to worsen by 2026

The U.S. is expected to face a nursing shortage of approximately 1.1 million nurses by 2026.The UK is facing a shortage of over 60,000 nurses by 2026.Canada is expected to face a shortage of 60,000 to 100,000 nurses by 2026.Australia is expected to face a nursing shortage of around 100,000 nurses by 2026.Germany is expected to face a nursing shortage of around 500,000 nurses by 2026.Japan is expected to face a shortage of approximately 200,000 nurses by 2026.South Korea is expected to experience a shortage of around 45,000 nurses by 2026.India will face a nursing shortage of about 2 million nurses by 2026.

India: The Leader in Nursing Colleges

India boasts the largest number of nursing colleges globally, with over 2,000 nursing schools and colleges offering programs for nursing education, including undergraduate (B.Sc. Nursing), postgraduate (M.Sc. Nursing), and diploma programs.

The Nurse Who Saved Lives During the Titanic Disaster

Violet Jessop was a nurse who survived not one, but two of the most famous maritime disasters in history: the Titanic sinking in 1912 and the Britannic sinking in 1916. Violet worked as a stewardess and nurse aboard the Titanic and, after it sank, she helped rescue many of the survivors. Later, she served on the Britannic, which also struck a mine and sank.