SPECIAL DAY/WEEK/MONTH: Recognizes Tuesday, March 17, 2026, as Nurse Practitioner Day at the Louisiana State Capitol.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Brach Myers

Proclaims March 17, 2026 as Nurse Practitioner Day in Louisiana to honor NPs for expanding access, improving health outcomes, and promoting health equity.

Enrolled. Signed by the President of the Senate and sent to the Secretary of State by the Secretary of the Senate on 3/19/2026.

Summary of SR 23 (Louisiana) – Special Day/Week/Month

Purpose and intent

Recognizes Tuesday, March 17, 2026 as Nurse Practitioner Day at the Louisiana State Capitol.

The resolution honors nurse practitioners (NPs) for their role as trusted healthcare providers, their work to expand access to care, promote health equity, and improve health outcomes in Louisiana.

Key provisions

Proclaims Tuesday, March 17, 2026, as Nurse Practitioner Day at the Louisiana State Capitol.

Acknowledges the importance of NPs in delivering high-quality primary, acute, and specialty healthcare, with emphasis on health promotion, disease prevention, and patient education.

Highlights national data and advocacy points showing:

The extensive role of NPs in the U.S. healthcare system (over 430,000 licensed NPs nationwide; over 6,250 licensed in Louisiana).
The public’s trust and the high volume of NP-provided care (more than one billion visits annually nationwide).
Evidence from decades of research supporting high-quality NP care.
The belief that modernized state policies and better utilization of NPs contribute to better health outcomes and more efficient, cost-effective care.

Notes existing trends toward NP full practice authority in many states and territories, where NPs have direct access to patients without physician supervision in many settings.

References recognition from various governmental and policy bodies (e.g., National Academy of Medicine, National Council of State Boards of Nursing, National Governors Association, Federal Trade Commission) on the benefits of NP-provided care.

Who is affected

Primarily symbolic recognition at the state level intended to honor nurse practitioners in Louisiana.

The Louisiana Association of Nurse Practitioners is specifically named as a recipient of a commemorative copy of the resolution.

Procedural and timeline aspects

The resolution was introduced in March 2026 and subsequently enrolled and transmitted as part of the official journal.

Administrative actions noted in the digest:

Introduced in the Senate on March 16, 2026; read, rules suspended, second reading by title, and adopted.
Enrolled on March 23, 2026; signed by the President of the Senate; transmitted to the Secretary of State.

No fiscal impact, regulatory changes, or statutory amendments are attached to the bill; it serves as a ceremonial recognition.

Overall impact

The bill serves to publicly commend and acknowledge the contributions of nurse practitioners to Louisiana’s healthcare system.

It reinforces the value placed on NP-provided care and aligns with broader national conversations about NP practice authority and access to care.