Monday 12 May 2025 marks International Nurses Day (IND), when we honour the huge contribution nursing professionals make in healthcare settings around the world. International Nurses Day is celebrated globally with the sharing of educational resources to bring awareness to the nursing profession. Read on to find out more about the history of nursing and how our MSc Nursing could shape your career.
What’s International Nurses Day?
International Nurses Day (IND) is celebrated every year on 12 May – the anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale, who revolutionised modern nursing. This year, the IND theme is ‘Our Nurses. Our Future. Caring for nurses strengthens economies’. The key focus is the health and wellbeing of a nursing workforce and recognising how this can strengthen economies, improve health systems and ensure better outcomes for communities around the globe.
A history of the nursing profession
Nursing dates back to ancient history – when the sick were cared for in temples and places of worship. Modern nursing, as we know it today, was founded by Florence Nightingale, one of the most inspiring women from throughout history. She revolutionised the profession during the Crimean War, by reducing death rates with a focus on sanitisation, proper nutrition and patient care. Her work led to the establishment of nursing schools and professional standards.
The late 19th and 20th centuries saw the validation of nursing education, with the establishment of nursing schools as well as the introduction of licensing exams – leading to greater recognition of nursing as a profession. The two World Wars accelerated the role of nurses significantly as they took on the responsibility of medical care. Not only that, but the development of new medical technologies and practices has further advanced the field.
Today, nursing encompasses a wide range of specialties and roles, from bedside care to advanced practice nursing, with a strong emphasis on evidence-based practice and patient-centred care.
Why study for a Masters in Nursing?
A postgraduate degree in nursing can accelerate your career in several ways – and you’ll develop advanced skills which can lead to a range of opportunities. Whether you’re looking to progress towards a senior role or move away from a wholly clinical role, our 100% online, part-time MSc Nursing could be the ideal first step. The course is designed to build on your existing knowledge, advance your clinical skills and allow you to put them into practice while studying around your current role.
Develop strategic decision-making skills while you learn to use evidence in practice and improve patient outcomes. By the end of your Masters degree, you’ll be able to lead nursing teams, influence policies and practices, and contribute to the overall quality of care in your healthcare setting.
We also offer online postgraduate healthcare courses in public health, infection control and international healthcare management.
What will I learn on the MSc Nursing?
Our MSc Nursing combines the key aspects of nursing with management and leadership – which is ideal if you’re looking to move into a senior nursing role. You’ll explore a wide range of topics across the field – from health promotion and treating vulnerable patients, to empowerment in healthcare and infection control interventions. Throughout your studies, you’ll develop a professional practice portfolio to demonstrate your understanding of lifelong learning and its benefits. And towards the end of the course, you’ll have the opportunity to complete a dissertation project on a topic of your interest.
Why study with Essex Online?
Our flexible approach to online study allows you to balance your education alongside work and family commitments. All learning materials are accessible 24/7, on any device via our state-of-the-art virtual learning environment (VLE). Not only that, but you’ll also receive dedicated Student Support, from application through to graduation and beyond. There are plenty more reasons why you should choose Essex Online to further your education:
- our courses are designed to provide the skills and knowledge needed to accelerate your career
- we ranked Gold in the Times Higher Education (THE) Online Learning Rankings 2024
- connect with a diverse group of professionals from around the globe
- graduate on campus at the University of Essex, a top 30 UK university (Complete University Guide 2025)
Find out how you can accelerate your career with our MSc Nursing and download a prospectus today!