FLORIDA NURSES MONTH

WHEREAS, Florida's nurses play an indispensable role in the safety, quality care and well-being of our residents and visitors in need; and

WHEREAS, nurses comprise our nation's largest health care profession, with more than 480,000 registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and advanced practice registered nurses here in the Sunshine State; and

WHEREAS, the depth and breadth of Florida's nursing profession meets the different and emerging health care needs of its population in a wide range of settings, and

WHEREAS, over the past year as our state faced unprecedented challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our nurses in hospitals, county health departments, and healthcare facilities demonstrated resiliency and compassion for their fellow Floridians; and

WHEREAS, with the aging of the American population, the continuing of life-sustaining technologies, and the growth of home health care services, the demand for nursing services will continue to rise and more qualified registered nurses will be needed to meet the increasingly complex needs of health care consumers in this community, and

WHEREAS, May 12 is School Nurses Day, an opportunity to recognize the thousands of school nurses across our state who help manage the daily health and safety of our students while promoting student access to health care services in our communities; and

WHEREAS, National Nurses Week is recognized from May 6 -12; and

WHEREAS, the American Nurses Association has declared May as Nurses Month, with this year's theme "You Make a Difference," serving as an opportunity to recognize the unparalleled impact nurses have in our schools, families and communities, and an open invitation to #ThankaNurse for enriching our lives and improving the communities in which we live; and

WHEREAS, here in Florida, we will always appreciate the selfless dedication of our nurses as they strive to keep our communities safe and healthy.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Ron Desantis, Governor of the State of Florida, do hereby extend greetings and best wishes to all observing May 2021, as Florida Nurses Month.