[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 40 (Tuesday, March 3, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E177]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNIZING NATIONAL NURSE PRACTITIONER WEEK

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                       HON. PABLO JOSE HERNANDEZ

                             of puerto rico

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 3, 2026

  Mr. HERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize National Nurse 
Practitioner Week, which was observed from November 9 through November 
15, 2025, and to honor the nurses and Nurse Practitioners who serve as 
essential workers within Puerto Rico's healthcare system.
  Our healthcare system is sustained by the work of nurses. Through 
long hours, overnight shifts, weekends and holidays, they provide care 
at the moments when it is most needed. In hospitals, clinics, and 
community-based settings across the island, nurses and nurse 
practitioners are often the first point of contact for patients and 
families. They offer not only medical expertise, but compassion and 
stability during moments of uncertainty.
  Nurses play a particularly important role in expanding access to 
care, especially in primary care and underserved communities. As Puerto 
Rico continues to face workforce shortages and barriers to access, 
supporting these professionals remains essential to strengthening our 
healthcare system and meeting the needs of our students and people.
  Institutions such as Universidad Ana G. Mendez create opportunities 
through their Doctor of Nursing Practice and Family Nurse Practitioner 
programs, which prepare students to meet these challenges with skills, 
professionalism, and a strong commitment to service. Their academic and 
clinical training reflects the importance of investing in our students 
and ensuring they are equipped with the tools, resources, and 
opportunities necessary to serve their communities effectively.
  As I reflect on National Nurse Practitioner Week, I reaffirm the 
importance of supporting our nursing students and healthcare 
professionals while continuing to strengthen pathways that allow them 
to positively contribute to Puerto Rico's healthcare system.

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