The Nightingale Tribute was designed and developed by the Kansas State Nurses Association in 2003 to be used to honor deceased nurses and was only offered within Kansas for some time. It was a “concept” and gradually, nurses began to see this at nursing conferences and a handful of groups started around the country. 

In 2011, one nurse attended a conference in Detroit, MI & brought the concept back to her Professional Practice group. Julie Godby Murray saw the presentation and decided “we need to take this to nurses all over the country”, so she slowly began reaching out through social media and growing chapters in various middle states. At this point in time, she has helped to organize over 250 groups/chapters to get their start. Almost every state is represented to provide the Nightingale Tribute for fallen nurses. 

When COVID hit, many nurses were the first responders and at the bedside, many lost their lives as a result. It was recognized that nurses were responding to the call and placing their lives at risk, as with many other professions. As with the military, police and fire services, there has been a call to pay tribute to those who have served in this profession. Nurses are honoring nurses with a tribute for any nurse who has passed away, either during their active service or after retirement. This has become a National calling for nurses to honor nurses. There is now the National Nurse Honor Guard Coalition with many states and counties across the country forming chapters to present these tributes which also honors our profession.  

In 2023, the founding members for Kern County Nurse Honor Guard researched and began forming our local chapter, to be inclusive of any nurse (LVN/LPN, RN, RNP or APN) in good standing with their nursing board to volunteer and join us in our mission to serve all nurses at the time of their passing. A tribute to any RN or LVN for their years of selfless service, presented during the funeral or memorial service, and including Living Tributes by a nurse colleague(s) or friend(s).