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Increase funding for Nursing Workforce Development Programs!
Increase funding for Nursing Workforce Development Programs!Right now, the U.S. is in the midst of a nursing crisis that could seriously impact the lives of cancer patients. Without increased funding for Nursing Workforce Development Programs, we will face a shortage of 1 million nurses by 2020. Urge Congress to set aside $200 million for federal Nursing Workforce Development Programs in 2008 - that's a $50 million increase from last year, and it's what we need to address the nursing shortage problem before it becomes a crisis. We need Congress' help to make sure cancer patients have access to compassionate, quality nursing care.
Dear [ Decision Maker ] , I am writing as your constituent and as someone who cares deeply about breast cancer. Right now, our nation is facing a dire shortage of qualified nurses and an inadequate supply of nursing school faculty to train the next generation of nurses. This means serious consequences for patients with breast cancer: oncology nurses don't just play a vital role in administering life-saving chemotherapy and supportive care drugs. For most patients, nurses are a primary source of support as they face the physical and emotional challenges of cancer treatment. Cancer patients rely on oncology nurses for information, education, and coping skills - and the nurses deliver. Medical experts say cancer diagnoses will increase significantly over the next fifteen years. At the same time, the number of practicing nurses is expected to drop - more and more nurses will retire, and not enough nurses are being trained to take their places. In fact, studies show the U.S. will face a shortage of more than 1 million nurses by 2020. Without adequate investment in nurses' education and training now, the shortage will worsen. Please, don't let that happen! The America nursing shortage can be solved by recruiting, training, and retaining talented and compassionate people, but programs intended to bring more nurses into the profession are woefully under-funded. You can help by allocating $200 million in the FY2008 budget for Nursing Workforce Development Programs at the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). That's a $50 million increase from last year, and it's what we need to address the current nursing shortage before it develops into a full-fledged crisis. Thank you!
Sincerely, |
Campaign Launched: |
| Background Information |
This year alone, more than 217,000 American women and men will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and over 40,000 will die from this devastating disease. In addition to invasive breast cancer, 59,390 new cases of in situ breast cancer are expected to occur among women during 2006. Breast cancer is the leading cause of death among women ages 40-50. Tell us why you care about breast cancer.
