National Nurses Week 2026: A Message from Bonnie Meadows, President of the North Carolina Nurses Association

This week is National Nurses Week. We step into this week with purpose and are proud to have been, for over 24 consecutive years, the country's most trusted profession, according to Gallup. As the 57th President of the North Carolina Nurses Association, I am proud to serve over 165,000 nurses working in all areas of healthcare.

Everyone knows a nurse. We all depend on nurses to keep us well and hold our hands during the heavy times of our lives. Nurses work hard to uphold the public's trust every single day, even in a world that makes that work increasingly difficult. When you see a nurse you know as family or interact with in the healthcare setting, tell them, “Thank you.” Tell them how much you appreciate their dedication to the profession. Your words can inspire them to continue making a difference in our North Carolina communities.

The North Carolina Nurses Association makes tireless efforts to support and advocate for nurses in our communities. We have made real progress, and we are clear-eyed about how much work remains. We continue to lead the way through advocacy for higher wages for nursing faculty, funding for professional degrees, access to care through the APRN workforce, RNs working to the top of their education and licensure, and the continued expansion of Medicaid. Our collective progress is a source of pride and motivation for all of us as we work toward a stronger future for nursing.

And while we fight today's battles, we are not losing sight of what is coming. Artificial intelligence is already reshaping healthcare, and nursing is ready to lead that conversation, not follow it. Our goal is simple: use technology to expand how we care, while keeping the healing hands of the nurse exactly where they belong, at the center of it all.

The American Nurses Association has named this year's theme The Power of Nurses, and North Carolina's nurses prove that power every single day. At the bedside, in the classroom, in the boardroom, and in the halls of our legislature, your impact is undeniable. We see it. We celebrate it. And we are committed to making sure all of North Carolina sees it too.

If you are a nurse and not yet a member of the North Carolina Nurses Association, I encourage you to join us. We are 10,000 members strong and growing, working to be the largest voice for healthcare in North Carolina. Our collective advocacy has led to real policy changes that improve working conditions, funding, and patient care standards. We are here to develop you professionally through education, provide networking opportunities, and give you opportunities to advocate on behalf of the profession for issues you encounter daily. As we grow in number, our voice grows stronger for our nurses, our communities, and our state.

Happy National Nurses Week. To every nurse in North Carolina, thank you for your service, your sacrifice, and your strength. The power you carry is real, it is recognized, and it is needed now more than ever.

Nursing Forward^®