In this day and age, positive recognition needs to be coupled with competitive salaries and benefits. That is why I have cosponsored H.R. 1436, the Nurse Reinvestment Act of 2001 . This legislation amends the Public Health Service Act, the Social Security Act, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to alleviate the nursing profession shortage. Being a nurse takes heart. It's a tough job, day in and day out, one that requires attention to others before attention to oneself.
Nurses are there to help the sick get better and to make sure the healthy stay that way.
Every month, I honor someone as Citizen of the Month for the Fourth Congressional District. This month, May 2001, I name all the nurses in Nassau County as Citizens of the Month. Representing Nassau nurses is Fran Heslin of Nassau University Medical Center. Fran has been a valued member of the surgical intensive care unit since her graduation from Nassau Community College in 1985 with a degree in Nursing. She is an excellent example of the competency, care and respect exuded by nurses.