Washington, DC (Wednesday, May 12, 2010) Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson’s resolution to recognize National Nurse Week, which will be celebrated annually May 6th through May 12th, passed by the House of Representatives by voice vote today.

“Every day, nurses make a commitment to providing quality patient care, growing and adapting to the new challenges that our changing health care system requires,” says Congresswoman Johnson. “I began my career as a nurse, where I provided hands-on care for 15 years as a psychiatric nurse at the Veterans Administration Hospital.”

Nurses are a key component of our nation’s health care system, and will become even more vital with the full implementation of health care reform. “As important as the nursing industry is,” says Congresswoman Johnson, “we still face a nursing shortage.” Although enrollment rose in 2009 for entry-level B.A. programs, the annual increase in student capacity in four year nursing programs has declined sharply since 2003.  The newly approved resolution acknowledges the importance of higher education in nursing, including baccalaureate and graduate programs.
    
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U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson is the highest-ranking Texan on the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure and a senior member of the Science Committee. She represents the 30th Congressional District of Texas, which, includes Downtown Dallas, Fair Park, Oak Lawn, Turtle Creek, Old East Dallas, Pleasant Grove, & South Oak Cliff; all of Balch Springs, DeSoto, Hutchins, Lancaster & Wilmer and parts of Cedar Hill, Duncanville, Ferris, Glenn Heights and Ovilla.