Vice President Kamala Harris is a Strong Ally for School Nurses
As school nurses, we’re witnessing a historic moment in American politics. Vice President Kamala Harris, now the likely Democratic nominee for president, has emerged as a strong ally to our profession. Her advocacy for healthcare workers and support for policies that benefit nurses and students align closely with our mission to keep students healthy, safe, and ready to learn.
A Presidential Campaign Focused on Education
In her first major speech since becoming the presumptive Democratic nominee, Harris addressed the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) convention in Houston. She outlined her vision for the future of education, emphasizing the critical role of teachers, school nurses, and other education professionals.
Championing School Safety and Student Well-being
As she campaigns for the presidency, Harris is tackling issues close to our hearts as school nurses. She’s taken a strong stance on gun violence prevention, directly addressing the safety concerns we face daily. “While you try to create safe and welcoming places where our children can learn, extremists attack our freedom to live safe from gun violence,” Harris stated at the AFT convention.
Her advocacy for banning assault weapons aligns with our goal of creating secure learning environments. As school nurses, we understand all too well the devastating impact of gun violence on our school communities.
Empowering School Nurses Through Union Support
Harris’s vocal support for union workers, particularly in healthcare and education, is a cornerstone of her campaign. Her backing of the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act shows she understands our challenges. This legislation could empower us to advocate more effectively for better working conditions and the resources we desperately need to serve our students.
Addressing Mental Health: A Presidential Priority
The Vice President’s focus on mental health in schools resonates deeply with our daily experiences. As we see more students struggling with mental health issues, Harris’s commitment to prioritizing mental wellness provides hope that we’ll have more support and resources to address this critical aspect of student health.
Improving Healthcare Access for All Americans
Harris’s presidential platform is emphasizing her efforts to strengthen the Affordable Care Act and reduce prescription drug costs. These initiatives have a direct impact on our work. Improved healthcare access means our students can more easily get the medications and treatments they need, allowing us to focus on keeping them healthy and in class.
As Vice President Kamala Harris campaigns for the presidency, she has already proven herself to be a true champion for school nurses. Her support for education funding, healthcare access, workers’ rights, and mental health initiatives creates an environment where we can thrive in our roles and provide the best possible care for our students. As we continue our relentless efforts to support student health and well-being, it’s encouraging to know we have such a strong ally vying for the highest office in the land.
Listen to this interview where students ask Vice President Harris pointed questions about her positions on gun violence, climate change, education, immigration and much more.
Best question asked by a student:
What is your plan to make America nice again?
Best answer given by VP Harris about public education.
I want to have a nurse in every public school. I want to have a social worker in every public school. I have a plan to also pay teachers more.
To quote Cathie McGeehan, my nurse friend and leader in New Jersey Moms Demand Action:
Vote accordingly!
There are almost 5 million nurses in America who can help ensure our democracy prevails. You can support the efforts of Nurses for America! There are 98 days and counting until Election Day, November 5, 2024.
Nurses for America is a grassroots group of nurses with diverse specialties and expertise advocating for nursing, democracy, health access and equity, reproductive rights, voting rights, human rights, gun safety, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, climate change for a healthy environment and Harris 2024
