This week, the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) is proud to be celebrating National Nurses Week, which takes place from May 6th – May 12th each year.
This time each May, we take a few days to give special thanks to all the nurses whose service enriches the lives of every person in this country. However, this year, Nurses Week has extra special significance. Throughout this COVID-19 crisis, not only have nurses continued to do the critical work they perform every day, they are carrying out their duties at significant risk to their own health, and by extension, the health of those closest to them.
It is times like these that we realize how truly heroic nurses are. Nurses are the cornerstone of healthcare in this country. You make our lives better, and we all owe you a tremendous debt of gratitude.
NFFE is proud to represent thousands of nurses who work at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Department of Defense (DoD), and Indian Health Service (IHS). These dedicated professionals care for our nation’s veterans, active military, and our diverse native populations every day. Thank you all for the amazing work you do!
During the COVID-19 crisis, many of the nurses who are proud members of this Union have been forced to work long hours and without adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), but this has not stopped them from coming to work and helping to heal our nation’s sick every day. Your brothers and sisters in this Union are beaming with pride because of your sacrifice.
While NFFE has been fighting, and continues to fight, to make every workplace in this country as safe as it can be, there is still so much more to do to truly make workplaces safe, particularly for those working in a healthcare setting. NFFE will continue to use every tool at its disposal to strive for added safety measures that will keep our cherished nurses, and all, safe during these dangerous and uncertain times.
On behalf of NFFE-IAM members across the country, we want to express our sincere appreciation to our sisters and brothers working as nurses at VA, DoD, and IHS, and to all nursing professionals throughout this great nation.
Thank you, nurses, for all you do!
Sincerely,
Randy L. Erwin
National President
National Federation of Federal Employees