Occasions
Nurses Day in the US: date and thank-you flower ideas
United States · Nationwide
In the United States, National Nurses Day is celebrated on May 6. For someone close to you who works in nursing, you could choose a lisianthus bouquet and give it after their shift or at home. To thank a hospital team, first check whether flowers are accepted and where they can be received.
Upcoming calendar dates
United States
Agenda Floral, with you
Add it to your calendar
Subscribe to receive the changes we publish or download a copy with yearly repeats to import.
Use in Google Calendar or another calendar
Open Google Calendar on a computer. Beside “Other calendars”, click “+” and choose “From URL”. Paste the address below to add the subscription. You can then view that calendar on devices using your account.
Guide to adding Agenda Floral to Apple and Google Calendar
Apple or Google decide when to check for updates. We cannot guarantee that changes appear immediately. Importing the file gives you a copy that does not receive our future corrections. Importing again may duplicate events. We do not add alarms, although your calendar may apply its own alerts.
May 6, the week and the international day
National Nurses Day opens the US nursing appreciation week, which runs from May 6 to 12. The international day is May 12. These dates are related, but this calendar event covers May 6 only.
A gathering organised by a facility may have its own schedule. If you will take part, prepare delivery for that gathering without confusing it with the national date.
A gift for someone close to you who works in nursing
For a friend or relative, you could choose lisianthus in a color they like. If you prefer open flowers with a defined center, compare gerberas. These are personal gift suggestions, not official flowers of the profession.
Think about what they will do with the bouquet afterwards. If you give it as they leave work, ask for protection for the journey. For home delivery, you could include a container and choose a time they can receive it around their shift. There is no need to bring flowers into their work area.
Thanking the team that cared for you
Start with a card addressed to the team or unit. Before buying a bouquet, check the policy on gifts from patients and families and the receiving point. If only shared gifts are accepted, prepare thanks for the whole team rather than a private gift to one person.
A hospital shop selling flowers does not guarantee delivery to staff. Patient room rules do not in themselves establish which gifts the team may accept either. If flowers are not accepted, a letter to the service or the facility’s thank-you channel can carry your message.
What to write and how to place the order
You could write: “Thank you for explaining each step calmly and making those days easier. We would like these thanks to reach everyone on the different shifts too. The Garcia family.” Adapt the note to the help you received and add the service so it reaches the right people.
For a personal gift, you could order: “I would like a lisianthus bouquet for a friend on Nurses Day. I will give it after her shift and she will drive home afterwards. It needs protection for the journey, and I would like to include this card.” For hospital delivery, provide the contact and instructions supplied by the facility before confirming the delivery.
Which flowers to choose
Compare flowers to choose the format, colours and care that suit the occasion.
Guides to help with your decision
Which flowers to give as a thank-you
Which flowers to give to thank a friend, colleague or professional. Ideas for the card, a group gift and an agreed handover.
What to write in a card with flowers
Ideas for writing a flower card in your own words. Examples for birthdays, thanks, anniversaries and sensitive moments.
How to order flowers from a distance and plan delivery
How to send flowers from afar and choose the format, date and handover. Includes UK letterbox flowers and addresses and deliveries in other countries.
Can you bring flowers to hospital?
Check with the hospital and ward before taking flowers. Examples from Spain and Germany, delivery and what to ask before taking your bouquet home.
Frequently asked questions
Can I give thanks during Nurses Week on a day other than May 6?
Yes. The week runs from May 6 to 12, so you can plan your thanks for an agreed gathering or delivery. Adding this occasion to your calendar saves May 6 only.
Can I send artificial flowers if fresh flowers are not accepted?
Do not assume they are a permitted alternative. Restrictions may concern gifts, containers or unit access. If there is no accepted option, prepare a card or letter.
Sources and what they support
- American Nurses Association · National Nurses Week History
Sets the annual week on May 6–12 and explains National Nurses Day on May 6. Prescribes no flowers.
- International Council of Nurses · International Nurses Day
Sets the international day on every May 12. Edition-specific themes do not apply to future years.
- Joint Commission · Nurses Week 2026
Distinguishes May 6 national day, May 6–12 week and May 12 international day. No guarantee of future events.
- Stanford Medicine · Code of Conduct · pp. 14–15
For patient/family gifts, permits modest perishables shared with the whole unit. Local policy, not a universal spending limit.
- Stanford Health Care Gift Shop · Floral
Delivery to approved patients and shop pickup for staff. Some units restrict flowers. No generalisation or allergy guarantees.
How we put these guides together
We review dates, care and recommendations to help you plan each gift.
Spotted something we should review? Contact Agenda Floral.