Commemorating the Week of May 6th Through May 12th of 2026, as "National Nurses Week" in the State of Rhode Island

WHEREAS, Nurses in the United States constitute our nation's largest healthcare profession; and

WHEREAS, The depth and breadth of nursing meets the different and emerging healthcare needs of the American population in a wide range of settings, including the frontline of pandemics; and

WHEREAS, The American Nursing Association is celebrating its 130th Anniversary, and the Rhode Island State Nurses Association is celebrating its 121st Anniversary. Together they serve as the voices for nurses in the United States, and the State of Rhode Island, working together tirelessly to chart a new course for a healthy nation that relies on increasing access to primary and preventative health care, and better utilization of all our nation's nursing resources; and

WHEREAS, Professional nursing is an indispensable component of the safety and quality of care of hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients; and

WHEREAS, The demand for nursing services will be greater than ever because of the aging of the American population, emerging health challenges, the continuing expansion of life- sustaining technologies, and the explosive growth of home healthcare services; and

WHEREAS, More qualified nurses are needed in the future to meet the increasingly complex needs of healthcare consumers in this community; and

WHEREAS, The cost-effective, safe, and high-quality healthcare services provided by nurses will be an increasingly important component of the United States healthcare delivery system in the future; and

WHEREAS, Along with the American Nurses Association, the Rhode Island State Nurses Association has declared that the theme for 2026 for "National Nurses Week" is "The Power of Nurses", with appreciation for nurses' unparalleled impact and their contributions to health care, and an open invitation to celebrate the power of nurses to enrich our lives and the world we live in; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby honors all nurses and joyously celebrates the commemoration of the week of May th through May th as "National Nurses Week" in the State of Rhode Island; and be it further

RESOLVED, That this House furthermore urges all Rhode Island residents to celebrate the accomplishments and tireless work provided by our national and Rhode Island nurses, not only during this special week but throughout the year; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Rhode Island State Nurses Association.