Political Quotes

“Americans depend on nurses to deliver quality patient care, yet our Nation faces a critical shortage of nurses. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that more than 1.2 million new and replacement nurses will be needed by 2014 to keep up with the aging Baby Boomer population and the increased demand for health care. To avoid this dramatic shortage, we need to reach a significant and sustained increase in the number of nurses entering the workforce each year. We can do this by building on the current health care workforce. Nurses who advance from other health care positions are better prepared to meet the demands of the bedside because they are more aware of the work environment and ready to meet its unique challenges. They also require less time in orientation than new workers and represent a diverse population more representative of the patients being served. Today, I am pleased to introduce legislation that will foster career ladders for current health care workers who are ready to upgrade their skills.”