ENA President-elect Ron Kraus joined nursing leaders for discussion with president and vice president

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. (March 18, 2020) – During a White House meeting of nursing leaders to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic on Wednesday, Emergency Nurses Association President-elect Ron Kraus, MSN, RN, EMT, CEN, TCRN, ACNS-BC, spoke pointedly about the needs of emergency nurses amid the outbreak, while emphasizing the strong role ENA and all ED nurses play in this rapidly developing situation.

In comments to President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and members of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, Kraus stressed the importance of increasing the supply of personal protective equipment available to ED nurses and all emergency care providers; definitive guidelines for who should be tested for COVID-19; more implementation of remote testing sites; and greater public awareness of proper emergency department utilization.

“We had great dialogue. It was clear to them what our stance is, what our needs are, and they heard our voice loud and clear,” Kraus said in a video to ENA members after the meeting. “I told the President that ENA and ED nurses are here, we are ready, and we will do the right thing. I just asked that he lend his ear and his strong support, and he responded with, ‘You got it.’”

You can view Kraus’ full message to members on the ENA YouTube page.

Wednesday’s meeting also included representatives from the American Nurses Association, American Academy of Nurses, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, American Association of Colleges of Nursing, American Association of Critical Care Nurses and American Organization for Nursing Leaders.