[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 66 (Monday, May 13, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E644]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          NATIONAL NURSES WEEK

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                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 13, 2013

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, we recognize this 
week as National Nurses Week, and celebrate the life-saving work that 
nurses do every single day of the year. As the first registered nurse 
in Congress, I know from experience that nurses play a critical role in 
patient care, health promotion, and disease prevention. Nurses are the 
most trusted professionals in the country, and it is no wonder why. 
Nurses have the privilege and responsibility of caring for people at 
their most vulnerable, and they do it with grace and commitment.
  Just as nurses care for us when we are sick, we must ensure that our 
health system supports nurses by enabling them to do their jobs safely 
and effectively. Research has shown us that when nurse staffing levels 
increase, patient risk of complications and hospital lengths of stay 
decrease. This, in turn, leads to cost savings.
  As our health system changes to meet our future needs, nurses are 
leading the way. The Affordable Care Act and the Institute of 
Medicine's Future of Nursing report both call for nurses to optimize 
their contribution to patient care.
  Increased federal and state engagement is needed to ensure that 
America's nursing workforce remains strong in years to come. I believe 
we must expand nurse training programs and increase the number of 
nursing faculty available to teach the next generation. Only then will 
we begin to be able to address the national nursing shortage that could 
potentially jeopardize future patient access to care.
  Mr. Speaker, National Nurses Week has been celebrated annually since 
1991, beginning on May 6th, which is National Recognition Day for 
nurses, and ending on May 12th, the birthday of the founder of modern 
nursing, Florence Nightingale. I am honored to have the opportunity to 
recognize all the dedicated nurses who came before me, and all those 
who have come after. Supporting the nurses who care for us is simply 
the right thing to do, and I look forward to working with my colleagues 
to do just that.

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