PA Nurses endorse Dahlkemper

  Candidate commits to fight for nursing issues in Congress

Erie, PA - Businesswoman and candidate for Congress in Pennsylvania's third district Kathy Dahlkemper today announced that she had received the endorsement of the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals (PASNAP), an AFL-CIO union of over 5000 nurses focusing on nursing issues and patient safety.

"Nurses are the front line of health care in America," said Dahlkemper. "I am proud to accept the endorsement of Pennsylvania's nurses and I will fight for their priorities in Congress." Dahlkemper, who worked in health care as a dietitian for over 20 years, said she would be a forceful advocate of nursing issues and patient safety.

"It is time to fix our healthcare system, and Kathy is the right person for the job," said Patricia Eakin, RN, and President of PASNAP. PASNAP is the largest nurses' union in Pennsylvania and has union members at both Warren General and Butler Memorial Hospitals.

Dahlkemper announced her support for measures to ensure nurse and patient safety through establishing minimum nurse-to-patient ratios. Dahlkemper has also proposed addressing the nursing shortage by increasing support for nursing students and expanding the facilities that currently teach nursing.

"The nationwide nursing shortage is turning into a national health care nightmare," said Dahlkemper. "Nurses need the support of Congress to help maintain the standard of care that we have come to expect in our country."

"PASNAP endorses Kathy Dahlkemper for US Congress because her background in healthcare gives her the right perspective on the many challenges faced by both healthcare professionals and patients," said Eakin.