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Lois Capps, RN I am currently one of three nurses serving in the House of Representatives. My experience as a nurse has been very relevant to my work in Congress. I’m trusted by my colleagues as a source of advice on health related issues and I have been able to take advantage of the listening skills I gained as a practicing nurse. I have also been honored to champion causes relevant to the nursing community that for too long had been ignored by Congress. One of my top priorities has been working to combat the growing national nurse shortage. In 2001, I introduced the Nurse Reinvestment Act, which was subsequently passed by Congress in 2002 and signed into law. This law created programs to recruit and retain nurses. Every year I work closely with the major nursing organizations to seek greater funding for Title VIII programs. Every year, I am proud to say that more and more Members of Congress join in supporting this funding request. An important aspect of nurse retention is, of course, job satisfaction. I am deeply concerned about unfair nurse to patient ratios that exist in too many of our nation’s hospitals. This situation is adverse to both nurses and patients. I therefore have introduced the Quality Nursing Care Act, which would require hospitals adopt and implement staffing plans in conjunction with nurses and, where appropriate, nurse unions. In March, 2006 I introduced the National Nurse Act, which would create an Office of the National Nurse. The National Nurse would serve as a national spokesperson on important public health issues as well as use his or her position to encourage more people to pursue nursing and nurse education as a career. As I continue my work in Congress, I will continue building on my skills as a nurse and advocating for issues of importance to the nursing community. |
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