SENATE RESOLUTION 68

(By Senators Rucker, Stollings, Takubo, Plymale, Unger, Boso and Beach)

[Introduced April 5, 2017]

Designating April 5, 2017, as Nurses Unity Day at the Legislature.

Whereas, One in forty-three West Virginians is a nurse; and

Whereas, Nurses make a significant contribution of time, energy, heart and care toward the healing of our residents who are ill and suffering; and

Whereas, Nurses are powerful advocates for the health and well-being of all West Virginians, providing education, screening, nursing intervention, evaluation and research to improve the health of West Virginia residents throughout the life span from prebirth to the end of life; and

Whereas, Nurses meet the health needs of West Virginians not only in hospitals and long-term care facilities, but conveniently in their homes, at school, at work, at church, in community health centers, on the phone and on the Internet; and

Whereas, The Institute of Medicine recognizes nurses as key to solving our current rising cost of chronic illness through their expanding leadership as coordinators and collaborators of interdisciplinary health care teams; and

Whereas, The expanding roles of advanced practice registered nurses as nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives and certified nurse practitioners in a variety of specialties provide improved cost-effective access to health services in our rural state; and

Whereas, The American public has voted to acknowledge nurses as the Most Trusted Professional for twelve years; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate hereby designates April 5, 2017, as Nurses Unity Day at the Legislature; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the appropriate representatives of West Virginia Nurses Unity Day.