Recognizing Emergency Nurses Week

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mrs. KIGGANS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today not only as a Member of Congress, but as a geriatric nurse practitioner and an advocate for our nurses across the Nation, to recognize the unyielding composure of our emergency nurses during Emergency Nurses Week.

In the United States, it is federal law that an emergency room never closes and that every person who comes to an ER receives care. Day or night, emergency nurses answer the call of duty--providing quality care to patients in critical condition while operating in demanding, high- stakes environments where every second counts. Emergency nurses work around the clock, caring for patients of all ages and across every specialty--from cardiology and oncology to pediatrics and geriatrics.

Emergency nurses are heroes, often the first point of contact for patients within the ER, and they provide comfort and attentive care during an uncertain or stressful time for patients and their families. Their critical thinking skills and their compassion for their patients make their role essential for preserving our Nation's healthcare system.

It is important that we give our emergency nurses the praise and attention they deserve during Emergency Nurses Week to show our appreciation for the dedication they have to our Nation's health and for the millions of lives they touch on a daily basis. We're forever grateful for their sacrifice.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source