[brian]

This is from an op-ed piece in this morning's New York Times today called "America's Nurse," op-ed contributor Teri Mills points out that national nurse's week came and went and nothing happened. She also points out that by the year 2020, there will be 400,000 fewer nurses than needed in the United States.

Ms. Mills goes on to make an extremely intriguing suggestion about there being a national nurse. I think this will make a great discussion topic.

Below are some snippets from the op-ed piece, with a link to the full article:

Published: May 20, 2005
SO, national nurses' week has come and gone and what happened? Nothing, despite estimates that by 2020 there will be 400,000 fewer nurses than are needed in this country. Drastic action is required. And here's the action I suggest: dethrone the surgeon general and appoint a National Nurse.

Here's why. Prevention is the best way to lower health care costs. If people take care of themselves and don't get sick...well, you know the rest. And who better to educate Americans on how to take better care of themselves than nurses?

After all, nurses are considered the most honest and ethical professionals, according to a recent Gallup poll. It's the nurse whom the patient trusts to explain the treatment ordered by a doctor. It is the nurse who teaches new parents how to care for their newborn. It is the nurse who explains to the family how to comfort a dying loved one...

Here's what I'd have the National Nurse do. She or he would highlight health care education through 15-minute weekly broadcasts that would also be available on the Internet. The emphasis would be on prevention: how to have a healthy heart; how to raise your teenagers without going crazy; how to avoid being swept into the growing tide of obesity...

The Office of the National Nurse would yield benefits in a multitude of ways. The informational programs would decrease dependence on a health care system that is not only expensive but at times inaccessible, especially for those who lack insurance or live in rural areas. Through the office, nurses could sign up for a National Nurse Corps that would organize activities to enhance health in their communities. A National Nurse would give public recognition to the valuable work that nurses perform each day; if we're lucky, the National Nurse would help stem the nursing shortage by attracting people to the profession.

A National Nurse won't solve all of our country's health care problems, but one would definitely improve the situation. America has a history of honoring great nurses - from Clara Barton to Susie Walking Bear Yellowtail. Isn't it time we did so again?

Teri Mills teaches nursing at Portland Community College.

Full Article requires registration at the New York Times website:
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/20/opinion/20mills.html

[SusanJean]

I'm all for it!

[sunnyjohn]

Interesting article....

[germain]

Great Idea!

[cheerfuldoer]

We are already abused like a "National Nurse" so might as well make it legal.

I would like to see nurses endorsements to other states done away with because if we sit for a NATIONAL EXAM we should be able to practice nursing in ANY state...not just one. Once we pay for a license we shouldn't have to pay for another one.

[Jessy_RN]

VERY NICE

[Tweety]

Maybe not dethrone the Surgeon General but I definately think the idea of a National Nurse is a good idea. Nurses definately has a role to play in national health care concerns.

As long as it's not more red tape and committees.

[Reddy,RN]

We've already got a national nurse ... sort of.

“I’m Rick Carmona. I’m the U.S. Surgeon General and I’m a registered nurse.”

That was a surprise to me. But is the RN on the Surgeon General website? Or in his official website biography? Nope.

http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/news/s.../04062005.html
Keynote Address at National Student Nurses Association Conference

Wednesday, April 6, 2005
5 p.m.
Salt Lake City, Utah

"The Future of Nursing"

[pickledpepperRN]

Originally Posted by Reddy

We've already got a national nurse ... sort of.


That was a surprise to me. But is the RN on the Surgeon General website? Or in his official website biography? Nope.

http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/news/s.../04062005.html
Keynote Address at National Student Nurses Association Conference

Wednesday, April 6, 2005
5 p.m.
Salt Lake City, Utah

"The Future of Nursing"

MD and still a nurse.

We what do you know?

[Thunderwolf]

Makes perfect sense to me!