Maryland Supporter Speaks Out

Pictured: Dr. Joachim Voss

I am a strong supporter of the proposed National Nurse Office. Nurses are the largest workforce amongst all health professions and our demands grow weekly with new discoveries in technology, research and clinical practice. For example, recent health policy legislation adds tremendous pressure to fulfill the mandatory nurse ratios. Therefore, we need more support from Congress and the House to educate a substantial workforce to staff our hospitals and nursing homes adequately. In order to change the current situation, nurses need to educate and represent their members of Congress, the House. Funding is needed to develop "Principles of Sustainability for the Nursing Profession" to lead us successfully through the 21st century.

Focused health campaigns could guide training efforts and health programs to improve the poor health of many Americans. Prevention and health education in kindergartens, schools, universities, churches and community centers have the potential to reverse a national obesity epidemic that will decrease the live expectancy of Americans by 2020. Nurses can and will have a major impact and the National Nurses Office would provide a platform to plan, design, and execute these tasks.

In September 2006, I will become assistant professor at the University of Washington in the Department of Biobehavioral Nursing & Health Systems.

Joachim Voss, PhD, RN
NIH Research Fellow
Maryland