National Nurse Practitioners Week

WHEREAS, there are more than 148,000 licensed Nurse Practitioners in the United States and 1,910 in Alabama, providing high-quality, cost-effective, patient-centered, personalized healthcare; and

WHEREAS, Nurse Practitioners have graduate level education and advanced clinical training beyond their initial registered nurse preparation; and

WHEREAS, Nurse Practitioners  order, perform and interpret diagnostic tests, diagnose and treat acute and chronic conditions, and prescribe medications and other treatments; and

WHEREAS, Nurse Practitioners  are truly partners in the healthcare of their patients, focusing on health promotion, disease prevention, health education and counseling, guiding patients to make smarter health and lifestyle choices, in addition to providing clinical services; and

WHEREAS, the excellence, safety and cost-effectiveness of the care provided by Nurse Practitioners is established and well-documented; and

WHEREAS, Nurse Practitioners provide healthcare to people of all ages and in diverse healthcare settings, such as private practices, hospitals, long-term care facilities, schools, state and local health departments, managed care facilities and retail-based clinics; and

WHEREAS, more than 18 percent of Nurse Practitioners practice in rural settings with populations of less than 25,000; and

WHEREAS, patients of Nurse Practitioners often times receive more personal time and attention than other healthcare providers are traditionally able to give:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim November 13 through November 19, 2011, as

National Nurse Practitioners Week

in the State of the Alabama and recognize this dedicated group of healthcare professionals

 

Given Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the Office of the Governor at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on the 15th day of November 2011.

 

                                                                                ___Governor Robert Bentley