WASHINGTON—Today, AARP and The DAISY Foundation announced a collaboration between the two organizations to recognize the value of nurses to help improve nursing job satisfaction and retain more nurses in the profession. New data released by AARP today found that 96% of Americans aged 50+ believe more should be done to recognize the value of nurses. 

At over 4 million strong, nurses are the largest part of the health care workforce and have ranked as the most trusted profession by Americans for over 20 years. As the largest organization representing the interests of 100 million Americans aged 50+—and with over 1 million active or retired nurses as members—this collaboration is key to AARP's mission of championing a robust nursing workforce essential for the care of older adults and their families and ensuring that Americans have the nurses when and where they need one.   

“For too long, we have seen nurses exhausted and discouraged and leaving their roles or the profession, worsening the nursing shortage crisis,” said Susan Reinhard, Senior Vice President and Director of AARP Public Policy Institute. “That is why we at AARP are thrilled to announce this collaboration with The DAISY Foundation to help keep all nurses who can serve in the workforce so that our nation can get the care they need when they need it.”

“Our family started The DAISY Foundation in memory of the compassionate care provided to my stepson Patrick during his 8-week hospitalization in 1999. Compelled to say thank you to nurses, we wanted patients and families to have a meaningful way to express their gratitude to nurses by sharing stories of extraordinary care and compassion in the form of nominations for The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. With the program now active in 6,500 healthcare facilities and nursing schools, our collaboration with AARP will help change the narrative around nursing. Together we will encourage more gratitude and recognition to nurses which we know ties them to their purpose and helps retain them in the nursing workforce,” said Bonnie Barnes, Co-founder and President of The DAISY Foundation. 

An estimated 100,000 registered nurses in the U.S. left the workforce during COVID-19 due to stress, burnout, or retirement, and another 600,000 have reported "intent to leave" the workforce by 2027. The U.S. faces a projected shortage of more than 200,000 nurses in the next few years. 

The collaboration encourages the nomination of both Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) who care for patients with a DAISY Award nomination to help bolster job satisfaction while also attracting more people to the nursing profession. To nominate a nurse visit aarp.org/DAISY or scan this QR code:

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About AARP
AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation's largest circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/about-aarp/, www.aarp.org/español or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspañol and @AARPadvocates on social media.