AACN Applauds Congress for Recognizing 2020 as the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife Saturday, February 15, 2020 WASHINGTON, D.C., February 15, 2020 - The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) commends the introduction of H. Res. 859 and S. Res. 500, bipartisan resolutions supporting the goals and ideals of the "International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife." These resolutions honor the significant contributions of nurses, nurse educators, and midwives who provide high-quality health care to patients and communities across the country. "I commend the work of our bipartisan nursing champions to recognize 2020 as the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife," said Dr. Ann Cary, Chair of the AACN Board of Directors. "Our Congressional leaders clearly recognize the importance of academic nursing to preparing future generations of nurses and sustaining the health of our nation." "Nurses and midwives provide invaluable support and advocacy for patients at some of the most difficult and joyous moments of their lives," said U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley. "As the husband of a nurse, I've seen firsthand how vital these jobs are and how important nurses are to supporting the health of all our communities, including those in rural and underserved areas. We must do everything we can to recognize and maintain our nursing and midwifery workforce in order to help ensure the long-term wellbeing of American families for generations to come." AACN would like to thank Senate Nursing Caucus Co-Chairs, Senator Jeff Merkley and Senator Roger Wicker, as well as Congresswoman and nurse, Eddie Bernice Johnson, and House Nursing Caucus Co-Chair Congressman David Joyce for introducing these historic resolutions. We also are pleased to see the strong bipartisan support from additional cosponsors, which illustrates the steadfast dedication that Congress has shown the nursing profession. "As the Co-Chair of the Congressional Nursing Caucus, and as the proud husband of a nurse, I am honored to introduce this resolution to recognize 2020 as the Year of the Nurse and Midwife," said Congressman Dave Joyce (OH-14). "There's a reason why nursing is the most trusted profession in America. With more than four million registered nurses in the United States, nurses are the lifeline of our nation's healthcare system. I'm proud to work alongside AACN and my colleagues in Congress to thank these hardworking men and women for their dedication to America's patient population and celebrate their essential contributions to the health of our nation." "AACN appreciates Congress' work to highlight the critical contributions of nurses, nursing students, faculty, and researchers to our nation's prosperity, especially as we work to elevate health care and higher education at the federal level," said Dr. Deborah Trautman, AACN President and Chief Executive Officer. "The World Health Organization has rightfully recognized the incomparable contributions of nurses and midwives to the advancement of health care in our country and across the globe. As the first registered nurse elected to Congress, I am proud to lead this bipartisan resolution honoring 2020 as the International Year of the Nurse," said Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson. "This resolution will honor the four million nurses in the United States, as well as twenty million nurses across the globe, by acknowledging their tireless efforts to provide high-quality, transformative health care to an increasingly diverse patient population." From the classroom to the bedside, nurses and nursing students are integral members of the healthcare team. AACN sincerely thanks our congressional champions for introducing these historic resolutions. AACN looks forward to celebrating nurses and midwives throughout the year and for many years to come. Categories: Policy & Advocacy, Press Release