Celebrate Nurses Day by
Strengthening the Profession

A Short Message from ANA Hall of Fame Inductee Claire M. Fagin

Dear Nursing Supporter,

To celebrate International Nurses Day this year, I urge you to do something that will really advance the profession over the long term: join me and the Truth About Nursing in a major effort to improve public understanding of the value of nursing. We will increase public respect for the profession and help it gain the resources it really needs.

Research shows the public has a poor understanding of the value of nursing, despite the positive sentiments often expressed about us on Nurses Day. That lack of true understanding is fueled by enduring stereotypes, which Hollywood and other mass media continue to reinforce. And that leads to undervaluation by decision-makers, which in turn drives the underfunding and other limits with which many nurses struggle.

Throughout my career, I have delighted in seeing the growth and development of modern nursing. But despite all our professional milestones, nurses still do not have the power or financial resources we need to save all the lives we are capable of saving. That is because nursing is still not widely understood as a profession of life-saving, college-educated health professionals.

Please join me in supporting the Truth About Nursing, so we can help decision-makers understand why patient health depends on nursing practice, residencies, education, and research.

Please donate now to The Truth About Nursing.

Here is a more detailed letter from me about why the Truth deserves your support

There is more information on the Truth's proposed plan of action here.

Thank you very much.

All my best,

Claire Fagin, RN, PhD, FAAN
Dean Emerita, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing
Interim President, University of Pennsylvania, 1993-1994