NEW: Langevin Picks Up Endorsement from American Nurses Association
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Recognizing his efforts to fight for the middle class and support a vital profession in our health care system, Congressman Jim Langevin received the endorsement of the American Nurses Association (ANA) today in Providence, where he was surrounded by nurses and students aspiring to be nurses at the Rhode Island State Nurses Association headquarters. RISNA Executive Director and ANA member Donna Policastro made the announcement on behalf of the group, which is the only full-service professional organization representing the interests of the nation's 3.1 million registered nurses as it carries out its mission statement: "Nurses advancing our profession to improve health for all."
“Congressman Langevin has long been a champion for nursing," said Policastro, who called Jim someone nurses can trust and emphasized Langevin's support for training programs and his efforts to address safe and appropriate staffing for nurses. "He understands that nurses play an important role in providing quality, affordable health care to his constituents.”
The ANA praised Langevin for being an advocate of nursing workforce development both nationally and in Rhode Island, while supporting Title VIII funding that goes toward nursing education, as well as loan repayment and scholarship programs for nurses. Furthermore, he is a cosponsor of the RN Safe Staffing Act, which would staff nurses based on acuity to provide better care for patients, while ensuring nurses have a voice in their staffing procedures. Locally, he has been a vocal backer of the new Rhode Island Nurses Institute Middle College for middle and high school age students to help create a pipeline of skilled nurses who are able to enjoy a rewarding career in our state.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"If we are going to have a health care system that promotes quality, we must have staffing policies at our hospitals that create a positive care environment for our nurses and our patients," said Langevin. "But, this is not just about providing access to better care; it is about creating rewarding jobs for everyone in Rhode Island. It is about creating a path for lower and middle class families to succeed in any endeavor, free from the concern of falling ill without access to care and encouraged by knowing that they too can achieve their dream given the right opportunities. It is about fighting for a stronger and more robust middle class, because when they succeed, we all succeed."
