Whereas, Emergency nurses are professionals requiring both general and specific knowledge about emergency nursing in order to provide quality patient care; and,

Whereas, More than 70,000 emergency nurses practice throughout the United States daily demonstrating their professionalism and continually striving to upgrade standards of practice and improve services to those in need of emergency care; and,

Whereas, Emergency nurses practice in a variety of settings including: rural and urban hospitals, trauma centers, clinics, health maintenance organizations, industrial institutions, military settings, ambulatory care centers, aeromedical and ground support; and,

Whereas, Emergency nurses care for all ages and types of patients with illnesses and injuries ranging from minor to life-threatening, in addition to many sub-specialty areas of emergency nursing such as pediatric, pre-hospital, military, poison control, aeromedical and trauma; and,

Whereas, Emergency nurses endeavor to educate the public in the prevention and treatment of emergency conditions and the proper and effective use of emergency services, in order to ensure all patients receive the appropriate and highest-quality care possible; and now therefore be it,

Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim October 12, 2003, as Emergency Nurses Day in Michigan, and I urge all citizens to recognize the dedication and commitment these many men and women show to citizens here in Michigan and across our nation in providing emergency care.