Today is May 12, International Nurses Day. It is observed every year on this day to remember the birthday of Florence Nightingale. The theme of International Nurses Day 2026 sends a clear and important message: the strength of global health systems depends on how effectively nurses are supported and empowered (赋能) today. Around the world, nurses are the backbone of healthcare and play an irreplaceable role. They provide constant, kind care, protect vulnerable people, and deal with emergencies, often under great pressure.
Their work is not just about looking after patients at the bedside; they also help promote health, prevent illness, support recovery and keep communities safe in uncertain times. Empowerment is the key to this year’s theme. Nurses can save more lives when they have safe working environments, fair pay, enough colleagues, good education and chances to take part in leadership and policy decisions.
True empowerment means removing barriers that stop them from doing their jobs well and making sure they have the right to use their knowledge and skills fully. When nurses are well-supported, they can provide high-quality care that improves health outcomes and builds trust in health systems. Nowadays, healthcare systems face many challenges, such as staff shortages, increasing service needs, climate-related health risks, and the effects of conflicts and disasters.
Despite these difficulties, nurses still keep healthcare running smoothly with great dedication. However, their efforts are not always fully valued or supported. So, supporting and keeping more nurses is necessary to build strong and fair health systems worldwide. The 2026 theme calls on governments, hospitals and communities to make changes that empower nurses. Its slogan “Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives.” reminds us of nurses’ great value. Investing in nurses is not only beneficial to the workforce but also a social and economic priority. When nurses are empowered, health systems become stronger and communities become healthier.
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1.1. Why do people mark May 12 as International Nurses Day?
A To honor a nursing pioneer.
B To improve hospital rules.
C To reward doctors’ work.
D To cure various diseases.
解析：选A。A 细节理解题。根据第一段第二句“It is observed every year on this day to remember the birthday of Florence Nightingale.”可知，设立国际护士节是为了纪念弗洛伦斯·南丁格尔的诞辰，她是一位护理事业的先驱，选项A与此意一致。选项B“改善医院规章”在文中并未提及；选项C“奖励医生的工作”与护士节纪念主题无关；选项D“治愈各种疾病”是对节日目的的曲解，节日是为纪念而非治病。故选A。
2.2. What is a benefit of nurse empowerment?
A Higher social status.
B Better life-saving results.
C Free medical service.
D Less daily work.
解析：选B。B 细节理解题。根据第二段最后一句“Nurses can save more lives when they have safe working environments, fair pay, enough colleagues, good education and chances to take part in leadership and policy decisions.”可知，护士赋权能让她们挽救更多生命，选项B“Better life-saving results”是对原文的同义转述。选项A“更高的社会地位”文中未涉及；选项C“免费医疗服务”属于无中生有；选项D“更少的日常工作”与文中护士承担繁重任务、承受巨大压力的事实不符。故选B。
3.3. What challenge do current health systems face?
A Low patient numbers.
B Fewer natural disasters.
C Increasing lack of workers.
D Widespread unqualified drugs.
解析：选C。C 细节理解题。根据第三段“Nowadays, healthcare systems face many challenges, such as staff shortages...”可知，人员短缺是当前医疗体系面临的挑战之一，选项C“Increasing lack of workers”是对“staff shortages”的同义替换。选项A“病人数量少”与原文“increasing service needs”所表达的医疗服务需求上升相矛盾；选项B“更少的自然灾害”与文中提及的灾害影响相反；选项D “不合格药品泛滥”虽属于医疗相关问题，但并不是文章列举的医疗体系面临的挑战。故选C。
4.4. What is the main idea of the last paragraph?
A Many nurses lack career training.
B Hospitals worldwide face no pressure.
C Conflicts have little effect on healthcare.
D Empowering nurses is of great importance.
解析：选D。D 主旨大意题。最后一段强调“The 2026 theme calls on... to make changes that empower nurses”和“Investing in nurses is...a social and economic priority”，全段核心是呼吁社会重视并赋权护士，选项D准确概括了这一主旨。选项A“许多护士缺乏职业培训”在段中未出现；选项B“全世界的医院没有面临压力”与原文描述的护士“often under great pressure”及医疗系统面临的诸多挑战完全相反；选项C“冲突对医疗保健影响甚微”与原文提到的“the effects of conflicts and disasters”事实相悖。故选D。
