As National Nurses Week kicks off, we want to thank all of today’s nurses and our future nurses—those currently undertaking their education and training. You play a critical role in our health care system, particularly when it comes to delivering patient-centered care and advancing effective communication and teamwork.
Here at the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation we have had a long-standing interest in preparing (and supporting) nurses in today’s changing health care system, and in nurturing leaders in nursing education and practice. You can learn more about this work in our 2016 Annual Report.
This past year, we took a close look at nursing education and practice, focusing our annual conference on the ways in which registered nurses can help transform primary care. Numbering nearly four million, registered nurses are the largest segment of America’s healthcare workforce and can significantly expand primary care capacity, if used in the right way. Read our recent report where we issued a series of recommendations on preparing RNs for enhanced roles in primary care.
Nurse’s contributions are helping improve health care delivery and the health of the public. We must all strive to ensure they are recognized for their hard work and have the support they need to succeed.