WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., introduced a bipartisan, bicameral resolution recognizing National Nurses Week from May 6 through May 12, 2025. U.S. Representatives Dave Joyce, R-Ohio-14, Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore.-01, Lauren Underwood, D-Ill.-14, and Jen Kiggans, R-Va.-02, introduced a companion resolution in the House of Representatives. 

The National Nurses Week resolution honors and celebrates the important contributions of America’s nurses to safe, high-quality care and the invaluable role that nurses have. The resolution also highlights the extra care nurses provide in treating injured and sick patients during wartime, natural disasters, and public health emergencies. 

“Nurses are essential to our nation’s health care system,” said Senator Wicker, Co-Chair of the Senate Nursing Caucus. “They ensure patients receive timely and quality care, and their dedication is unmatched. Our country needs more of these heroes, and I hope more young people will consider joining the nursing profession. This resolution is a small token of our gratitude for their service.”

“As the husband of a nurse, I’ve seen up-close how difficult nurses’ jobs are and how important they are to patients,” said Senator Merkley, Co-Chair of the Senate Nursing Caucus. “In every corner of Oregon, nurses offer vital care, support, and advocacy to patients and their families during challenging times. Let’s pause this week to express gratitude and honor the nurses in our communities for their unwavering commitment and compassion. We must remain dedicated to providing them with the support necessary to continue their life-saving work.” 

As of 2025, there are nearly 4.9 million registered nurses in the United States. However, despite this substantial number, the nursing sector faces pressing challenges, including a continuing shortage of nurses, mental health struggles, and the need for safer working conditions. According to the 2024 National Nursing Workforce Study released by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, more than 138,000 nurses left the workforce since 2022 due to stress, burnout, and retirement. This same study also outlined that by 2029, almost 40 percent of nurses intend to leave the workforce. 

This week’s resolution is a timely acknowledgment of the indispensable role nurses play in delivering quality care, advancing medical research, providing services to all communities and individuals, increasing access to nursing care, promoting healthy behaviors, and much more. The lawmakers’ bipartisan resolution encourages Americans to recognize and celebrate National Nurses Week this year and to support our nursing workforce today and every day. 

Full text of the resolution can be found here.