Gubernatorial Proclamation

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UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	May 12, 2010

Gubernatorial Proclamation - Nurses Week

Gov. John P. de Jongh, Jr. has proclaimed the week of May 6-12, 2010 as “National Nurses Week” in the Territory, with the theme “Caring Today for a Healthier Tomorrow.” During this week, we honor and celebrate the dedicated health care professionals who keep us healthy and honor the essential role and invaluable contributions of nurses to the health care industry.

Virgin Islands nurses are an important part of the nearly 2.9 million registered nurses throughout the country, linked through the American Nurses Association. Together, they are diligently charting a new course for a healthy nation. Their efforts rely on increasing delivery of primary and preventive health care, and we are tremendously grateful for their collective depth of knowledge and talent in bringing these essential services to our community and this nation on a daily, round-the-clock basis. The ANA supports and encourages National Nurses Week recognition programs through state and district nurses associations, other specialty nursing organizations, educational facilities, and independent health care companies and institutions.

Nursing is the largest profession within the health care industry. Often described as an art and a science, it is a calling that attracts dedicated individuals of varied interests, strengths and passions, offering many opportunities to all in its service. Nurses work in emergency rooms, doctors’ offices, school-based clinics, and homeless shelters, to name just a few of the many establishments that benefit daily from their employ. Their efforts are highly needed and greatly appreciated. Nurses have many roles – from staff nurse to educator to nurse practitioner and nurse researcher; they serve with passion for the profession and with a strong commitment to patient safety and overall health and wellness.

With our aging population, the expansion of life-sustaining technologies, and the growth of home health care services, the demand for the skills and talents of registered nurses is greater than ever.

Governor de Jongh asks all Virgin Islands residents to join him and the American Nurses Association in showing appreciation to all registered nurses and acknowledging their tremendous contributions to our health care system, not only during National Nurses Week, but throughout the year.

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A PROCLAMATION

Nurses Week in the United States Virgin Islands

WHEREAS, the Virgin Islands State Nurses Association, along with the American Nurses Association, have declared May 6-12, 2010, as "National Nurses Week" with the theme "Caring Today for a Healthier Tomorrow", a week highlighting the essential role and invaluable contributions of nurses to the health care industry; and

WHEREAS, there are nearly 2. 9 million registered nurses in the United States and its Territories comprising our nation's largest health care profession; and

WHEREAS, registered nurses in the Virgin Islands are essential to the delivery of health care to the residents and visitors in the Territory; and

WHEREAS, the depth and breath of the nursing profession is meeting the different and emerging' health care needs of the population in a wide range of settings; and

WHEREAS, Nurses' education and holistic focus promotes restoration and maintenance of health in the individual and family; and

WHEREAS, a renewed emphasis on primary and preventive health care will require the better utilization of all of our nursing resources; and

WHEREAS, professional nursing has been demonstrated to be a key component in the safety and quality of care of hospitalized patients; and

WHEREAS, the cost-effective, quality health care service provided by nurses will be an aver more important component of the health care delivery system in the future;

NOW, THEREFORE, I , John P. de Jongh, Jr., Governor of the United States Virgin Islands, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Revised Organic Act of 1954, as amended, do hereby proclaim. May 6-12, 2010, as "NATIONAL NURSES WEEK" in the United States Virgin Islands in celebration of the ways in which nurses strive to provide high quality patient care and improve our health care system. I call upon the people of the Virgin Islands to join with me in acknowledging the nurses who care for all of us, and to support their efforts to improve our health care system.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the Government of the United States Virgin Islands to be affixed at Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, this 28th day of April, A.D., 2010.

JOHN P. de Jongh, JR.