The "May 12 Nurses Day Program" was held on May 12, 2026, by the Nursing Department of our University's Faculty of Health Sciences. The program, organized by the student scientific and social activities committee of the nursing department, with the theme "Our Nurses, Our Future: Empowered Nurses Save Lives," was held in the Sezai Karakoç Hall of the Central Library of Kastamonu University. 

The program was attended by the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Prof. Dr. Abdulkadir Tuna, Vice Dean Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nesrin İçli, faculty members from the Nursing Department, nurses working at Kastamonu Training and Research Hospital, and the Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Hospital, healthcare professionals, and students. 

The program began with a moment of silence and the National Anthem, followed by a musical performance by Nursing Department students Esengül Armutçu and Esma Nur Manoğlu. In his opening speech, Prof. Dr. Abdulkadir Tuna highlighted the critical role of the nursing profession in healthcare and emphasized the importance of nurses' contributions to public health in their demanding work environments. 

After Prof. Dr. Tuna, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Havva Kaçan gave a speech within the framework of the ICN 2026 theme "Our Nurses, Our Future: Empowered Nurses Save Lives." In her speech, Assoc. Dr. Kaçan stated that empowered nurses are a fundamental building block of the healthcare system and emphasized the importance of professional development, scientific production, and strong nursing practices for the future of healthcare services. 

The panel, conducted as part of the program, was moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mahinur Durmuş. In the panel, the following participated as panelists: Saide Pakize Çetin, Director of Health Care Services at Kastamonu Education and Research Hospital; Serap Nurgül Söyler, Head of the Student Affairs Unit; and Mustafa Arslan, Head Nurse of the Infection/Subspecialties Department.

The event concluded with a photo session in memory of the day.