WASHINGTON, DC—National Nurses United, the nation’s largest union and professional association of registered nurses, announced today its endorsement of Anita Bonds for re-election to the District of Columbia Council.  Ms. Bonds is running for re-election for an at-large Council seat in the April 1 primary.

“We are pleased to endorse Anita Bonds for re-election,” said Shirley Commissiong, RN, an emergency room nurse at Providence Hospital.  “She has a long history of working for the interests of the people of DC, not only as a member of the Council but as a community organizer, ANC chair and cabinet member for three mayors.”

“Ms. Bonds has also been a vocal supporter of the Patient Protection Act, which would mandate minimum nurse staffing standards in all DC hospitals and thus guarantee safe patient care,” she continued.  “We are eager to continue working with Council Member Bonds to get that bill passed into law quickly for the sake of all hospital patients and their families.”

“I am thankful for the support of National Nurses United,” said Bonds.  “There is no more trusted profession than registered nurses.  This is why when they tell me there is an ongoing, chronic crisis of nurse understaffing in DC’s hospitals, I listen.  As a co-introducer of the Patient Protection Act and a member of the Council’s health committee, I am dedicated to pushing for quick Council action to impose minimum, mandatory nurse-to-patient ratios in all DC hospitals so that patient safety can be ensured for everyone.”

National Nurses United, together with its affiliate, the District of Columbia Nurses Association, represents 4,400 registered nurses working in the District of Columbia.