WHEREAS, nurse practitioners (NPs) serve as trusted frontline health care providers for patients in our state; and
WHEREAS, NPs are working tirelessly to diagnose and treat patients with COVID-19 and to combat community spread nationwide, while many are grieving colleagues, patients, friends, or loved ones who have lost their lives during the pandemic; and
WHEREAS, NPs work to expand access to care in underserved communities, address health disparities, and combat systemic racism in health care; and
WHEREAS, NPs provide high-quality primary, acute, and specialty health care services while focusing on health promotion, disease prevention, health education, and counseling, guiding patients to make smarter health and lifestyle choices every day; and
WHEREAS, NPs are highly skilled practitioners with advanced education and clinical training, building upon their initial registered nurse preparation; and
WHEREAS, there are more than 290,000 licensed NPs in the United States, and more than 6,000 in North Carolina; and
WHEREAS, better utilization of NPs through modernized state laws and improved policies creates better health through a more accessible, efficient, cost-effective, and higher quality health care system; and
WHEREAS, leading government and policy entities – including the National Academy of Medicine, National Council of State Boards of Nursing, National Governors Association, and Federal Trade Commission – have taken notice of the benefits of nurse practitioner Full Practice Authority, and have endorsed a regulatory model; and
WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina is proud to honor the service of nurse practitioners and recognize their countless contributions to the health and well-being of residents throughout our state;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim November 8 – 14, 2020, as “NURSE PRACTITIONER WEEK” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.