[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 84 (Wednesday, May 21, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E999-E1000]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 H. RES. 1086 RECOGNIZING NATIONAL NURSES WEEK ON MAY 6 THROUGH MAY 12

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 20, 2008

  Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong 
support of the resolution recognizing National Nurses Week on May 6th 
through May 12th (H. Res. 1086). This resolution pays tribute to the 
safe, high quality, and preventative health care that nurses provide.
  I am pleased to honor the essential role that nurses play in 
providing quality health care across our Nation. Each of us remembers 
experiences when a loved one needed health care and a nurse was the 
first person by the patient's side providing care and comfort. We all 
benefit from the commitment nurses make to their profession despite 
extraordinary challenges they face every day.
  Nurses are the health professionals on the front lines of caring for 
Americans both at home and abroad. Our Nation's soldiers on the front 
lines rely on nurses for lifesaving aid as they serve our country 
abroad. Back in the States, nurses play an important role as the 
primary point of contact between the patient and the world of 
healthcare providing critical medical care for the patient and 
assistance for their families.

[[Page E1000]]

  Our Nation's health care system is complex and people with all types 
of needs are greatly served by caring, qualified, and professional 
nurses. They are integral to our Nation's health care delivery system. 
Nurses are advocates and health educators for patients, families, and 
communities. Nurses are also experienced researchers, and their work 
encompasses a wide scope of scientific inquiry including clinical 
research, health systems and outcomes research, and nursing education 
research.
  Despite the excellent care that nurses provide, unfortunately, there 
is a shortage of nurses in our country which must be addressed. 
Minnesota--like much of the United States--is on the verge of a serious 
shortage of registered nurses and licensed practical nurses that 
affects patients, health care facilities, businesses, and the entire 
community. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) projects 
that the current 10 percent vacancy rate in registered nurses will grow 
to 36 percent by 2020, representing more than one million unfilled 
jobs.
  In addition, there are less than 20,000 full time faculty to train 
nurses in this country, and nearly 2,000 full time faculty members 
leave their positions each year. Thus, we need to address the shortage 
of nurse faculty to help nursing schools expand student capacity and 
increase the nursing workforce. I was also pleased to support the Nurse 
Reinvestment Act which established a Nursing Faculty Loan Program and 
Nurse Service Scholarship program.
  An aging workforce, stagnant graduation trends, and greater 
employment demand have left our Nation's hospitals critically 
understaffed. I believe we need measures to help address workforce 
issues to help retain nurses in the profession and allow nurses to be 
the professionals that they are. Providing individuals interested in 
nursing with the training and tools they need must be a top priority, 
and I will continue to support those efforts.
  Nurses provide outstanding health care services in our community, and 
I look forward to continuing to support the work of nurses who devote 
themselves to making such a difference in our lives. I urge my 
colleagues to join me in supporting this bill to recognize National 
Nurses Week.

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