National Nurses Week Shirts and Appreciation Apparel

National Nurses Week runs May 6 through 12, ending on Florence Nightingale's birthday on May 12. Practices order branded tees, polos, or pullovers for the nursing staff during the week. Each nurse gets a personalized piece with their name and credential. Bear Grips prints Nurses Week apparel on demand with no minimum, so a practice with 2 nurses gets the same per-unit pricing as a 25-nurse clinic.

Background on National Nurses Week

National Nurses Week was first proposed in 1953 and permanently observed each year from May 6 to May 12 since 1990. May 12 is Florence Nightingale's birthday, marking the founder of modern nursing. The full week is dedicated to recognition of nursing contributions across hospitals, clinics, private practices, and home care.

Apparel Pieces for Nurses Week

• Nurse-specific appreciation tee. 'Riverside FM Nurses' tee with 'Nurses Week 2026' on the back. Distributed to all RNs, LPNs, and CNAs.
• Personalized nurse polo. 'Sarah Patel, RN' embroidered on a premium polo as a Nurses Week gift.
• Nurse pullover. Embroidered quarter-zip with the nurse's name and credential, given during the week.
• 'Be Kind to Nurses' lifestyle tee. Less formal, more lifestyle-oriented appreciation piece.
• Whole-staff supporter tee. Worn by non-nursing staff during the week to show appreciation.

Bear Grips Pro Shops: Custom Apparel for Your Team. No Minimums. Free Shipping.

Personalization for Nurse Appreciation Apparel

Standard personalization layers:

• Full credentialed name. 'Sarah Patel, RN', 'James Rodriguez, LPN', 'Carlos Martinez, CNA'.
• Years at the practice. '5 Years' or '10 Years' on the sleeve cuff.
• Specialty designation. 'Pediatric Nurse', 'Triage Nurse', 'Charge Nurse' for senior nurses.
• 'Nurses Week 2026' subtle detail. On the sleeve cuff or as a small back print.

Catalog Picks for Nurses Week Apparel

• Women's Premium Cotton Pique Polo (Gildan), $34.88 VIP base. Embroidered nurse polo.
• Ladies' Quarter-Zip Pullover (Sport-Tek), $29.88 VIP base. Embroidered nurse pullover.
• Women's Premium Cotton Tee (Next Level), $23.88 VIP base. Premium nurse appreciation tee.
• Comfort Soft Hoodie (Bear Grips), $36.88 VIP base. Casual nurse appreciation hoodie.
• Women's Favorite Tee (Bella+Canvas), $19.88 VIP base. Standard women's-cut tee.

Timing the Nurses Week Order

Nurses Week runs May 6-12. To have apparel in hand by the start of the week:

• Order by April 22-24. 10-14 days lead time covers production and shipping.
• Order by April 18 for embroidered pieces. Embroidery adds a couple of extra production days.
• Order in early April for the full whole-team set. Multi-piece orders benefit from extra buffer.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is National Nurses Week in 2026?

May 6 through May 12, 2026. The end date (May 12) marks Florence Nightingale's birthday. The dates are fixed every year.

Should the nurses pay for their own Nurses Week apparel?

Most practices issue Nurses Week apparel as a gift, not a charged item. The cost is part of the practice's annual staff recognition budget.

What about LPNs and CNAs who are not RNs?

All nursing-credentialed staff are recognized during Nurses Week. LPNs, CNAs, and aides typically get the same apparel as RNs with their own credential embroidered.

Can the apparel include the nurse's specialty?

Yes. 'Pediatric Nurse', 'Triage Nurse', 'Charge Nurse', or 'Clinical Lead' can embroider as a specialty designation on the sleeve cuff.