AFSCME’S Saunders: ‘On National Nurses Week, let’s honor nurses with more than just recognition.’
WASHINGTON – AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement in recognition of National Nurses Week, observed May 6-12:
“From primary care to the emergency rooms, nurses are essential to America’s health system. The dedication, courage and skill they show every day is indescribable and awe-inspiring. And they know better than anyone what patients need to heal and what hospitals, clinics and other health care facilities need to thrive.“Nurses deserve more than just recognition. They deserve safe staffing ratios, a protected voice on the job, and strong union contracts that ensure they can afford to live in the communities they serve. And they must be recognized as the professionals they are – not devalued by the administration’s attacks on their degree classification– so future generations can afford to pursue advanced degrees in nursing.“That’s why AFSCME nurses everywhere are getting organized and continuing to fight — from the bargaining table to Capitol Hill — for a stronger health care system that serves patients and workers.”