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RESOLUTION CELEBRATING NURSES WEEK, MAY 6 -12, 2020, BY THANKING NURSES AND HEALTHCARE WORKERS FOR THEIR DEDICATION TO PATIENTS AND THE CITY OF DULUTH AND SUPPORTING PROPER STAFFING LEVELS AND ACCESS TO PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT FOR THE HIGHEST QUALITY OF CARE TO THE COMMUNITY.
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BY COUNCILOR SIPRESS AND COUNCILOR FILIPOVICH:
WHEREAS, the city of Duluth places a high priority on high-quality healthcare and greatly appreciates all the dedicated and professional licensed nurses in Duluth; and
WHEREAS, nurses are essential healthcare professionals who are on the frontlines of serving Minnesotans during the state of Minnesota’s response to COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, nurses effectively pursue their mission to promote their profession through upholding and advancing excellence, integrity, and autonomy in the practice of nursing, and advocate for high-quality care in serving their patients and communities; and
WHEREAS, registered nurses in Duluth serve patients in a wide range of settings, including large medical centers, local hospitals, outpatient clinics, psychiatric centers, nursing homes, veterans homes, addiction treatment centers, correctional facilities, medical rehab facilities, homes for the developmentally disabled, adolescent residential and secure facilities, community facilities, schools, and private offices; and
WHEREAS, registered nurses in Duluth and across the state of Minnesota meet the different and emerging needs of their patients during this pandemic, despite the proper levels of personal protective equipment and safe staffing; and
WHEREAS, the issue of lack of access to proper personal protective equipment and safe staffing levels is part of a larger trend of not prioritizing the health and safety of healthcare workers and patients, and
WHEREAS, the high-quality healthcare services provided by registered nurses continue to be an essential component of Duluth’s healthcare delivery system. More than ever, qualified registered nurses will be needed to meet the renewed emphasis on primary and preventive healthcare and the increasingly complex needs of patients; and
WHEREAS, the World Health Organization has declared 2020 as the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife to mark the bicentenary of the birth of the founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale, and to recognize the critical contribution both professions make to global health; and
WHEREAS, nurses and other healthcare workers are Duluth’s first line of defense against the pandemic caused by COVID-19, and we are deeply grateful for their commitment to caring for the most vulnerable in our community, even at the risk of their own personal safety; and
WHEREAS, Governor Tim Walz has declared the week of May 6-12, 2020, as Nurses Week to coincide with the anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Duluth city council stands with nurses and all healthcare workers and commits to working with nurses to ensure they have the proper staffing levels and personal protective equipment to provide the highest quality of care to the community.
FURTHER RESOLVED that he Duluth city council celebrates Nurses Week, May 6 - 12, 2020, and thanks each nurse for their dedication and commitment to their practice, to their patients, and to the City of Duluth.
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: The purpose of this resolution is to celebrate Nurses Week (May 6-12, 2020) by expressing the city council’s gratitude to nurses and healthcare worker for their dedication and commitment to the highest quality of care for the community and committing to working with nurses and healthcare workers to ensure proper staffing levels and access to proper protective equipment.