LOS ANGELES – More than 7,000 Registered Nurses in Los Angeles and Riverside counties, who care for the sick, provide emergency and trauma services, track infectious diseases and work in mental health and detention facilities, will mark Nurse Week with visits to the two counties’ Boards of Supervisors, a legislative conference in Sacramento, celebration and more.

“Nurses are an integral part of the entire health care team,” said Annelle Grajeda, president of SEIU Local 721. “This Nurse Week take a moment to thank nurses for their incredible contribution to the health and wellness of our neighbors and family members.”

Nurses in Riverside will visit that county’s Board of Supervisors Tuesday to present a new study that demonstrates the need for increased wages for county nurses, including those who work at Riverside County Regional Medical Center, which treats nearly half of all trauma patients in the county. Wages in Riverside are below the market rate, which negatively impacts recruitment and retention of qualified staff.

Nurses at all five major health care facilities including LAC+USC County Medical Center and Harbor UCLA Medical Center will honor their profession. LA nurses will hear from experts on nurse staffing levels and a delegation will participate in a legislative conference in Sacramento in preparation for state budget negotiations that could negatively impact health care services in California.

More than 450 public health nurses will also meet in Los Angeles this week to tackle issues affecting their field and honor standout colleagues.

“While this is a reflective week for nurses, it is also a reminder that we must work together in order to preserve the health care budget and win health care reform in California,” said Rosie Martinez, a public health nurse for Los Angeles County. “Nursing is my life and I love what we are able to do for our communities, but only united together will be able to improve health care services for our communities.”

To arrange an interview with a nurse on the frontlines of the fight to provide health care to Los Angeles and Riverside county residents, please call Elizabeth Brennan at (213) 368-8624.