2018 Regular Session ENROLLED SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 138 BY SENATOR HEWITT A RESOLUTION To commend the registered nurses in Louisiana who care for all Louisiana citizens, to recognize registered nurses as a valuable resource for inclusion at all levels where health policy decisions are made, to celebrate registered nurses' accomplishments and efforts to improve the healthcare system, and to show appreciation for the state's registered nurses not just during National Nurses Week, but at every opportunity throughout the year. WHEREAS, registered nurses are at the front lines of patient care and are the largest segment of the healthcare work force in Louisiana and nationally; and WHEREAS, registered nurses provide healthcare to culturally diverse populations of all ages, with any illness, in all healthcare settings, to all socioeconomic levels; and WHEREAS, the cost-effective, safe, and high-quality healthcare services provided by registered nurses will be an increasingly important component of the U.S. healthcare delivery system in the future; and WHEREAS, the registered nurse's essential role in care coordination improves patient care quality, safety, satisfaction, and outcomes and decreases costs across patient populations and healthcare settings; and WHEREAS, the demand for registered nursing services will be greater than ever because of the aging of the American population, including registered nurses, the continuing expansion of life-sustaining technologies, and the explosive growth of healthcare services beyond the hospital setting; and WHEREAS, more qualified registered nurses will be needed in the future to meet the increasingly complex needs of healthcare consumers in this community and this requires a sufficient number of qualified nursing faculty; and WHEREAS, registered nursing outranked other professions for the past fifteen years as the most trusted profession, maintains ethical standards of practice, and advocates for patient well-being; and Page 1 of 2 SR NO. 138 ENROLLED WHEREAS, registered nurses have the experience and expertise in healthcare delivery to provide input and perspective on issues impacting the healthcare of Louisiana citizens; and WHEREAS, the Louisiana State Nurses Association, as the voice for registered nurses in Louisiana, fosters high standards for professional nursing practice for all registered nurses, regardless of education level, clinical specialty, or work setting, and advocates for quality healthcare for the citizens of Louisiana; and WHEREAS, along with the American Nurses Association, the Louisiana State Nurses Association, has declared the week of May 6-12, 2018, as National Nurses Week, with the theme, "Nurses inspire, innovate, influence", in celebration of the ways in which registered nurses advocate for high quality patient care and to map out the ways to improve the healthcare system. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend the over 67,000 registered nurses who care for all Louisiana citizens; recognize registered nurses as a valuable resource for inclusion at all levels where health policy decisions are made; celebrate registered nurses' accomplishments and efforts to improve our healthcare system; and show its appreciation for the state's registered nurses not just during National Nurses Week, but at every opportunity throughout the year. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the Louisiana State Nurses Association. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE Page 2 of 2