Secretary of State Jim Condos Issues Statement on National Nurses Day

May 06 2022

Montpelier, VT – Today Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos praised Vermont nurses on this year’s National Nurses Day.

“Nurses are the backbone of our healthcare system; they provide compassionate care to us and our loved ones in our times of greatest need,” said Condos. “The past two-plus years have demonstrated the essential role nurses play in caring for our communities, whether in our homes or health care systems, schools, or clinics. We are indebted to, and grateful for, the nurses who provide exceptional care and comfort to Vermont citizens. They truly make a difference in our lives.”

May 6^th is National Nurses Day, a kickoff for National Nurses week, which ends on May 12^th commemorating Florence Nightingale’s birthday. This year’s theme is ‘Nurses Make a Difference;’ a simple message that has significant meaning.

“We proudly support the amazing work of Vermont nurses at our Office of Professional Regulation (OPR) by making it easier for nurses to get licensed and practice in our state. This was especially important through the pandemic, when they were most needed,” said Deputy Secretary of State Chris Winters, who previously served as the Director of OPR.

“Nursing represents the largest body of licensed professionals in Vermont” said S. Lauren Hibbert, Director of OPR. “OPR is proud to support the more than 25,000 licensed APRNs, RNs and LPNs in our state. We thank them for their service and the contributions they make every day in caring for Vermonters.”

About the Office of Professional Regulation: OPR, a Division of the Secretary of State’s Office, administers 50 professional licensing programs and issues approximately 80,000 credentials to individuals doing business and living in Vermont. OPR verifies applicants are qualified for licensure, sets standards for professions by proposing statutes and adopting administrative rules, and investigates complaints of unprofessional conduct, taking disciplinary action when necessary. More information can be found at https://sos.vermont.gov/opr.