April 05, 2019
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME) joined Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Steve Daines (R-MT) in introducing the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps Service Recognition Act, legislation to honor women who served in the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps during WWII with honorary veteran status. The bill would recognize former Cadet Nurses' service to our country and provide them with honorable discharges, ribbon and medal privileges, and certain burial privileges.
"From hospitals to military bases overseas, nurses work on the front lines of patient care and serve as critically important advocates for patients and their families," said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. "The U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps played an important role in WWII, addressing a critical shortage of nurses during the War and providing women with an expedited nursing education in exchange for their health care services. U.S. Cadet Nurses worked tirelessly to keep America's health care system strong, and many went on to work in military hospitals caring for our injured troops. We encourage our colleagues to join us in honoring U.S. Cadet Nurses by supporting this meaningful bill."
Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Doug Jones (D-AL), Jon Tester (D-MT), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) also joined the bipartisan group in recognizing the service of the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps.
In the midst of WWII, a severe shortage of trained nurses threatened the nation's ability to meet domestic and military medical needs. In response, Congress established the Cadet Nurse Corps, an integrated, uniformed service of the Public Health Administration, in 1943. The Cadet Nurse Corps provided young women with expedited nursing education in exchange for "service in essential nursing for the duration of the war." In 1944, the Federal Security Agency identified "national recognition for rendering a vital war service" as a privilege of service in the Corps.
In total, nearly 120,000 women completed the Corps' rigorous training. Cadet Nurses served in military hospitals, VA hospitals, Marine hospitals, private hospitals, public health agencies, and public hospitals until the program ended in 1948.
The U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps Service Recognition Act would:
The legislation would not provide still-living Cadet Nurses with Veterans Affairs pensions, healthcare benefits, or other privileges afforded to former active-duty service members.
The bill has been endorsed by the American Nurses Association, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the American Organization of Nurse Executives, and Veterans of Foreign Wars. The legislation was first introduced by Senators Collins, King, Warren, and Daines in December 2018. Also in December 2018, a resolution introduced by Senator King and cosponsored by Senator Collins to recognize the 75th anniversary of the Cadet Nurse Corps and honor their service during WWII was passed by the Senate.
"The Cadet Nurses answered the call of duty to fill a critical need during World War II," said American Nurses Association President Ernest J. Grant, PhD, RN, FAAN. "We are proud to support this bill to acknowledge and recognize these women for their selfless service to their country."
