U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and 23 other Senate colleagues in reintroducing a bipartisan, bicameral resolution to recognize National Nurses Week, celebrated from May 6-12, 2024. Companion legislation was introduced in the House by U.S. Representatives Dave Joyce (R-OH), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Lauren Underwood (D-IL), and Jen Kiggans (R-VA).
The resolution pays tribute to the vital contributions of America’s nurses to safe, high-quality care and their invaluable role in daily patient care. It also emphasizes the additional care provided by nurses during wartime, natural disasters, and public health emergencies. The resolution acknowledges the critical role nurses play in advancing medical research, tailoring services to diverse communities and individuals, addressing public health disparities, promoting healthy behaviors, among other things.
As of 2024, there are more than 4.7 million registered nurses in the United States. Despite this significant number, the nursing sector faces urgent challenges including a continuing shortage of nurses, burnout, mental health struggles and the need for safer working conditions. A research project from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing reveals that about 100,000 registered nurses left the workforce in 2021 and 2022 due to stress, burnout, and retirement. The same research predicts that by 2027 almost 900,000 registered nurses plan to leave the workforce.
In addition to Senators Hirono, Merkley, and Wicker; Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory A. Booker (D-NJ), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Steve Daines (R-MT), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), Tina Smith (D-MN), Debbie Stabenow (D-MA), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Peter Welch (D-VT) cosponsored this legislation.
Senator Hirono remains committed to supporting essential healthcare workers and enhancing the preparedness of our healthcare system. Earlier this year, she introduced the Future Advancement of Academic Nursing Act, bicameral legislation that would support a grant program to increase the number of faculty and students at nursing schools, which is critical to addressing nursing workforce shortages.