Gov. Greg Abbott has proclaimed November 7-13 Nurse Practitioner (NP) Week in Texas, recognizing the vital role of nurse practitioners in our state and in our modern health care system.
“Nurse practitioners provide high-quality, personalized health care, and their expertise and hard work are critical to the well-being of countless Texans in communities throughout our state,” said Gov. Greg Abbott in his proclamation. “With over 27,000 highly skilled nurse practitioners providing essential services throughout Texas, these dedicated professionals are a vital part of health care delivery in the Lone Star State.”
“This week, I’m honored to recognize all Texas nurse practitioners, the everyday superheroes who never stop working for their patients,” said Cindy Weston, DNP, APRN, CNS-CC, FNP-BC, CHSE, President of Texas Nurse Practitioners. “You can find NPs in almost every health care setting in Texas—from primary care clinics to emergency rooms, specialty clinics, and ICUs. Wherever they are, NPs are delivering high-quality, patient-centered care and making a positive impact on the health and well-being of their communities. As Texas continues to grow, nurse practitioners will be a vital part of the solution to expand much-needed access to health care to Texans.”
Texas nurse practitioners provide essential care across a diverse spectrum of specialties, including family practice, geriatrics, pediatrics, psychiatry, and more. NPs are helping bridge gaps in our health care system, including addressing social determinants of health in an effort to achieve health equity and increase access to health care for all patients, as well as meeting the needs of patients in our rural communities throughout the state.
Nurse practitioners are also on the front lines of responding to the emerging mental health needs across the state in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners, who are specially trained to diagnose and treat mental illnesses and disorders, are a crucial part of addressing our state’s mental health workforce shortage and caring for underserved populations.
Gov. Abbott’s NP Week proclamation can be viewed here.
