Rep. Erika White Celebrates Nurses Week
COLUMBUS — State Rep. Erika White (D-Springfield Township) today issued the following statement celebrating nurses and their dedication to public health.
“As a champion for workers, public health and wellness, the importance of nurses and the work they do cannot be overstated. Nurses perform lifesaving work every single day and remain a pillar of our healthcare system. From emergency rooms to schools, long-term care facilities to community clinics, nurses are often the first line of care and compassion for Ohio families,” said Rep. White. “At a time when the current federal administration has moved to strip nursing from the federal definition of a professional degree program, recognizing and uplifting this profession during National Nurses Week is more important than ever. Nurses are highly trained professionals whose expertise, education, and service deserve respect and protection, not diminished recognition.”
Rep. White also raised concerns about the growing trend among some healthcare systems to shift recognition away from dedicated Nurses Week celebrations toward broader “Hospital Week” messaging.
“Every healthcare worker deserves appreciation, and hospitals function because of teams of dedicated professionals working together. But nurses deserve clear and visible recognition for the distinct role they play in patient care, public health, recovery, and emergency response,” added Rep. White. “Recognition matters because respect for a profession shapes policy, workforce investment, recruitment, retention, and ultimately patient outcomes. We cannot claim to value healthcare while simultaneously undermining one of its most essential professions.”
National Nurses Week is observed annually from May 6 through May 12, ending on the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing.
Rep. White will continue to advocate that each member of the healthcare profession should have their own week of appreciation. Currently, House Bill 311, dedicating the third full week of May as EMS week in Ohio is in the Senate.