[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 67 (Wednesday, May 22, 2002)]
[House]
[Page H2836]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     NURSING SHORTAGE PLAGUING U.S.

  (Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, health care experts are worried that a 
national nursing shortage could become widespread later in the decade, 
just as the aging U.S. population requires more care. Educational 
institutes, hospitals and Congress are working feverishly to fill this 
global shortage, because it is nurses who impact the lives of people in 
times of health, illness, pain, stress, and even death.
  Nurses' talents, long hours and many sacrifices should be recognized. 
One of the ways in which Baptist Health South Florida appreciated 
nurses is by having recently hosted ``Shadow a Nurse Day.''
  Baptist Hospital, South Miami Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Mariners 
Hospital, and Baptist Outpatient Services were the health care sites 
which participated in this event.
  By helping the population to gain a greater understanding of the 
issues facing nurses today, these health care sites perhaps contributed 
to helping relieve the existing nursing shortage plaguing our Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Baptist Health South Florida for its 
commitment to the future of nursing.

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