Washington, D.C. – In recognition of National Nurses Week, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement:
“Nurses make a huge difference in the lives of millions of patients every single day. As a husband of a nurse, I know what a critical role nurses play in making sure our hospitals run smoothly and patients are given the best quality care available.
“Through the Affordable Care Act, we made significant strides this year in addressing many of the challenges nurses face. We increased funding for nursing education and training programs, and eased the financial burden on nurses trying to repay their student loans. However, nurses are still overworked, underpaid and our hospitals are having trouble retaining them.
“As the chair of the Senate Nursing Caucus, I will continue working with my colleagues to find ways to address the nationwide nursing shortage, especially in the hard hit rural areas. Nurses play such a crucial role in the delivery of care; we need to provide them with the resources they need to do their jobs.
“I know all Oregonians will join me in recognizing the 3 million nurses who work day in and day out to deliver the best quality care to their patients. Their compassion and hard work gives families the peace of mind that their loved ones are in good hands.”
National Nurses Week is celebrated annually from May 6th through May 12th.
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