05/12/2022

Nurses are vital to the safe, high-quality care patients enjoy in Delaware hospitals and health systems. Our nurses are passionate, dedicated, caring and irreplaceable. This National Nurses Month, we want every nurse to know our deep appreciation for the incredible challenges endured over the last two years. 
 
Among the challenges our nurses face: the pandemic experience, a national workforce shortage, violence in healthcare settings and increased hospitalizations resulting from pandemic related delays in care.  
 
We are incredibly proud and grateful for nurses and other hospital employees who have faced the greatest sustained national challenges to care provision experienced in any of our lifetimes.  
 
We know the work is not done to address these pandemic-driven challenges.  
 
We are working with partners in the state on short- and long-term solutions that ensure our nurses have access to the resources they need to foster their own wellbeing as they strive to keep the rest of us healthy. We are also collaborating on efforts to develop and expand the nursing workforce to alleviate current staffing challenges and meet anticipated future needs driven by our rapidly growing and aging population. More immediately, we are championing legislation in Delaware (HB 324) to increase penalties against those who physically assault workers in health care settings. Protecting the health and well-being of our nurses and caregivers who dedicate their lives to caring for others is a top priority for Delaware hospitals. 
 
Thank you, nurses. We are deeply appreciative of the work you do and your commitment to every patient for whom you care. Your examples continue to inspire each and everyone. 

Click here to view a message of thanks from the leaders of Delaware's hospitals: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETZfm6rCl3Q