#United States #Silver Spring #Healthcare Advocacy #American Nurses Association #National Nurses Day

American Nurses Association Declares National Nurses Day of Action

On November 12, 2025, the American Nurses Association (ANA) initiated a National Nurses Day of Action, rallying the nation’s over 5 million registered nurses, nursing students, and healthcare advocates. The ANA aims to urge immediate congressional action on two crucial pieces of legislation designed to safeguard the safety and mental health of nurses—a group often exposed to workplace violence and burnout.

The two vital legislative proposals include:
1. Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act (H.R. 2531/S. 1232): This bill instructs the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to mandate workplace violence prevention standards for healthcare employers.
2. Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act (H.R. 929/S. 266): This reauthorization ensures continued access to essential mental health resources for nurses, first enacted in 2022.

Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, the President of ANA, emphasized the urgency of these actions by stating, "On this National Nurses Day of Action, we stand united with nurses across the country in calling on Congress to pass these fundamental bills that protect our profession and the quality of patient care. We continually assert that no nurse should arrive at work fearing for their safety while performing their duties."

The statistics surrounding violence in healthcare are alarming. Research indicates that healthcare professionals elevate the charts regarding workplace violence incidents. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveal that this workforce experiences mental health challenges at higher rates than any other segment of American employees, significantly affected by an array of stressors, including job-related trauma and the emotional demands of patient care. Moreover, persistent unfavorable conditions in the workplace are leading to an unprecedented wave of nurses leaving the profession due to burnout.

On this important day, nurses and healthcare advocates are encouraged to make their voices heard. Engaging with legislators and utilizing social media channels to highlight pressing issues within the nursing community is crucial. As Dr. Mensik Kennedy stated passionately, “Our patients entrust us with their lives — it is high time our nation entrusts us with the protection and well-being we so earnestly deliver.” She reinforced that passing these bills is essential for saving lives, insisting, “Congress must act now to protect those who dedicate their lives to caring for others.”

In support of these advocacy efforts, the ANA has provided a complimentary Partner Toolkit with resources to help nurses and advocates effectively engage legislators. For more information on how to participate in the National Nurses Day of Action and to access the toolkit, visit nationalnursesdayaction.org.

As the oldest organization representing registered nurses, the American Nurses Association continues to advance nursing excellence. It plays a vital role in legislative and political advocacy, education, and consolidating governing practices that benefit nurses across all specialties and environments. Their commitment remains firm in ensuring safe work environments, pioneering healthcare policies, and fostering collaborations that uplift the nursing profession and enhance patient care experiences.