WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Congresswoman Capps celebrated National Nurse Week (May 6^th -12^th) by discussing the challenges and concerns facing the Nursing community in a meeting with Nurse activists from around the country.   

National Nurses Week is an annual event that highlights the many ways in which registered nurses, the largest health care profession, are working to improve health care. From bedside nursing in hospitals and long-term care facilities to the halls of research institutions, state legislatures, and Congress, the depth and breadth of the nursing profession’s contributions can be seen throughout America. 

“I am pleased to join my Congressional colleagues and my fellow nurses in recognizing National Nurses Week, May 6^th through 12^th,” said Capps.  “This important annual event helps raise awareness about the many significant issues facing the nursing community in the U.S. and applauds the great work that nearly 2.9 million nurses do for our country everyday.  It is my hope that this week will be particularly effective in educating the public about the growing nursing shortage in our country and building support for better funding of nurse education programs.  To address this emerging crisis we must train more nurse educators, recruit more individuals to join the nursing profession, and improve nurse retention.  By increasing our investment in nurses and improving working conditions for nurses, we can improve the health of all Americans.”

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Pictured above: (center) Congresswoman Capps meets with Central Coast firefighters to discuss emergency preparedness.