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HRSA Administrator Mary Wakefield, PhD, RN, FAAN, and Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) at the Senate Nursing Caucus briefing on September 22, 2010.
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Background
In order to educate members of the Senate about challenges facing nursing, Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Mike Johanns (R-NE), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) and former Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME) established the Senate Nursing Caucus on March 25, 2010.
Rationale
- The nursing profession is at a critical crossroads. Numbering more than 3.1 million, RNs are the largest healthcare workforce in America. Yet the supply of nurses is failing to meet our national need. The growing shortage of RNs is impacting the entire health care system, resulting in decreased patient care quality, and complicating efforts to prepare for natural disasters and acts of terrorism.
- The Senate Nursing Caucus will provide a forum to address issues such as the nursing shortage, burdensome tuition debt for nursing education, and patient safety issues.
- It will also provide Senators an open forum to address issues affecting the nursing community. It also serves as a clearinghouse for information and a sounding board for ideas brought forth by the nursing community.
Current Members
Indicates co-chairs*
- Susan Collins (R-ME)
- Al Franken (D-MN)
- Tom Harkin (D-IA)
- Mike Johanns (R-NE)*
- Jeff Merkley (D-OR)*
- Barbara Mikulski (D-MD)*
- Bernard Sanders (I-VT)
- Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)