Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) teamed up with U.S. Representatives Dave Joyce (R-OH-14), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01), Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14), and Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02) to introduce a bipartisan, bicameral resolution recognizing National Nurses Week. National Nurses Week 2025 is celebrated from May 6 through 12.
The National Nurses Week resolution honors and celebrates the important contributions of America’s nurses to safe, high-quality care and the invaluable role that nurses play in patient care every day. The resolution also highlights the extra care nurses provide in treating injured and sick patients during wartime, natural disasters, and public health emergencies.
“As the husband of a nurse, I’ve seen up-close how difficult nurses’ jobs are and how important they are to patients,” said Senator Merkley, Co-Chair of the Senate Nursing Caucus. “In every corner of Oregon, nurses offer vital care, support, and advocacy to patients and their families during challenging times. Let’s pause this week to express gratitude and honor the nurses in our communities for their unwavering commitment and compassion. We must remain dedicated to providing them with the support necessary to continue their life-saving work.”
“Nurses are essential to our nation’s health care system,” said Senator Wicker, Co-Chair of the Senate Nursing Caucus. “They ensure patients receive timely and quality care, and their dedication is unmatched. Our country needs more of these heroes, and I hope more young people will consider joining the nursing profession. This resolution is a small token of our gratitude for their service.”
“Nurses are the backbone of our health care system. Unfortunately, too often, their tireless efforts go unrecognized,” said Congressman Dave Joyce, a Co-Chair of the Congressional Nursing Caucus. “I’m proud to introduce this resolution with my colleagues in both chambers to recognize the hard work our nurses put in to keeping our communities happy and healthy. I will continue to make sure their voices are heard in Congress.”
“Our health care system relies on the tireless service nurses provide every day, and I am grateful to everyone who works in this essential profession,” said Congresswoman Bonamici, Co-Chair of the Congressional Nursing Caucus. “As Co-Chair of the Congressional Nursing Caucus, I’ll continue our work to provide nurses with the support they need and help more people enter the field.”
“I am thrilled to introduce this resolution and recognize nurses for their incredible commitment, care and contributions to our communities,” said Congresswoman Underwood, Vice Chair of the Congressional Nursing Caucus. “Every day, across the country, nurses are providing high-quality clinical care, engaging in policy advocacy, and leading in their communities. National Nurses Week is an opportunity to show our thanks and recognition, and I look forward to continuing my work to support nurses at every stage of our education, training, and careers.”
“I appreciate all that nurses do to keep our country healthy,” said Congresswoman Kiggans, Vice Chair of the Congressional Nursing Caucus. “As a geriatric nurse practitioner, I had the honor of caring for our Greatest Generation alongside many dedicated nurses. Their selfless commitment to caring for those who need it most deserves to be celebrated. I am proud to recognize National Nurses Week and will continue to be a loud advocate for our nurses while I serve in Congress!”
As of 2025, there are nearly 4.9 million registered nurses in the United States. However, despite this substantial number, the nursing sector faces pressing challenges, including a continuing shortage of nurses, burnout, and other mental health struggles, and the need for safer working conditions. According to the 2024 National Nursing Workforce Study released by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, more than 138,000 nurses left the workforce since 2022 due to stress, burnout, and retirement. This same study also outlined that by 2029, almost 40 percent of nurses intend to leave the workforce.
This week’s resolution is a timely acknowledgment of the indispensable role nurses play in delivering quality care, advancing medical research, providing services to all communities and individuals, increasing access to nursing care, promoting healthy behaviors, and much more. The lawmakers’ bipartisan resolution encourages Americans to recognize and celebrate National Nurses Week this year and to support our nursing workforce today and every day
In addition to Merkley and Wicker, this resolution is also cosponsored by U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Steve Daines (R-MT), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Jim Justice (R-WV), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jim Risch (R-ID), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Peter Welch (D-VT).
Full text of the resolution can be found by clicking HERE.
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