Nurses Rights Week – May 6 to May 12, 2013
May 6-12 is National Nurses Week, and across the country healthcare employers and the public will take the opportunity to recognize and honor the importance of the nursing profession in our healthcare system.
This year, in New Jersey, we also want to recognize the value and importance of ‘Nurses Rights’ – the right of nurses to speak up for their patients and their profession both at the bedside and in the public, before legislative and regulatory bodies. Respecting Nurses Rights also honors the critical role nurses play in advocating for safe and effective patient care.
Nurses have been an essential voice in shaping public policy to make health care safer and more accessible and accountable to our communities. Whether advocating for safe staffing, for patient rights’ or for transparency and accountability by our health care institutions, the voice of frontline nurses has made a significant contribution to improving healthcare in New Jersey.
In recognition of Nurses Rights Week, State Senator Sweeney has introduced a resolution to honor all the nurses who work tirelessly to provide quality health care to the citizens of this State, to acknowledge the importance of protecting and supporting the rights of nurses to speak up for their patients and their profession, and to recognize that the right of nurses to bargain for fair and safe working conditions, appropriate staffing levels in health care facilities, and quality health care is essential to the safety and well-being of the patients they serve.
Click Here for the Full Resolution
Senate President Sweeney Recognizes Salem Nurses During National Nurses Week: Highlights Need for Nurses’ Rights
On Tuesday, May 7, In recognition of Nurses Rights Week, State Senator Sweeney held a press conference with HPAE President Ann Twomey and Registered Nurses working at Memorial Hospital of Salem County to discuss a NJ Senate resolution he has co-sponsored recognizing the rights of nurses to bargain for fair and safe working conditions, appropriate staffing levels in health care facilities, and quality health care that is essential to the safety and well-being of the patients they serve.
Read a Press Release on the Event
Read an Article on the Press Conference
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