Recognizing and designating May 6 through May 12, 2016 as Nurses Week in the City of Philadelphia to honor the critical work nurses do each day to care for the health and well being of Philadelphians of all ages.

WHEREAS, For over two decades, National Nurses Week has been celebrated from May 6, the National Recognition Day for Nurses, through May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing; and

WHEREAS, Nursing constitutes the largest health care profession in the United States and nearly 20,000 nurses work across the City of Philadelphia in diverse clinical, educational, and research settings; and

WHEREAS, Nurses are on the front lines of medicine, providing care, education, and advocacy for patients and their families; and

WHEREAS, Certified school nurses tirelessly safeguard the health and learning of students and school communities throughout Philadelphia, despite suffering sustained budget cuts and layoffs; and

WHEREAS, Nurses give culturally competent care that is responsive to the communities, customs, and needs of their patients; and

WHEREAS, Careers in nursing offer quality, middle class jobs to thousands of Philadelphians, supporting

economic growth

and stability; and

WHEREAS, Research shows that where nurse staffing levels increase, patient outcomes improve and hospital stays decrease, leading to important cost saving; and

WHEREAS, Nurses are with us in the most vulnerable moments of our lives, from the beginning to the end; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That City Council hereby designates May 6 through May 12, 2016 as Nurses Week in the City of Philadelphia to honor the critical work nurses do each day to care for the health and well being of Philadelphians of all ages.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of the resolution be sent to the American Nurses Association.

End