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Top L to R: Amy Garcia, RN, MSN; Linda K. Groah, RN, MSN, CNOR, CNAA, FAAN; Rose Gonzalez, MPS, RN; Rebecca M. Patton, MSN, RN, CNOR
Bottom L to R: Susan E. King, MS, RN, CEN; Linda M. Gural, RN, CCRN
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Nursing Primer: The Registered Nurses' Role in Healthcare Reform
Numbering more than 2.9 million, registered nurses (RNs) are the largest healthcare workforce in the nation. Registered nurses are the backbone of hospitals, community clinics, school health programs, home health and long-term care programs, among many other settings. The services nurses provide are linked directly to the availability, cost, and quality of health care, which are at the center of healthcare reform discussions. Healthcare reform efforts must incorporate an integrated national healthcare workforce policy that takes into consideration the important role that nurses play. Support, development, and deployment of this keystone profession will be essential for any quality health care reform plan to succeed.
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