RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Governor Glenn Youngkin presented a proclamation on Tuesday to officially recognize Nurse Practitioner Week in the Commonwealth and answered questions about nursing shortages in the state and a recent report highlighting issues with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). On Tuesday, Nov. 12, Gov. Youngkin officially proclaimed the week of Nov. 10 through Nov. 16 as Nurse Practitioner Week in Virginia at an event held at Virginia Commonwealth University's (VCU) School of Nursing in Richmond. "The nurse practitioner program [at VCU School of Nursing] is particularly extraordinary," Youngkin said. "And of course, I have a very special spot in my heart because that's where my mother got her nurse practitioner certificate and then she taught here." Gov. Glenn Youngkin recognizes Nurse Practitioner Week on Tuesday, Nov. 12. (Photo courtesy: 8News) During a Q&A at the event, Youngkin said nursing shortages in the Commonwealth have been reduced compared to where it was during the peak of the pandemic, however, there is still a shortage. "That's why making sure that we have nursing schools that are receiving support, that we have preceptorships so that nurses can get the clinical experience that they need in order to get their next level of degree, and on top of that, that we're providing support for LPNs [license practitioner nurses] who want to become registered nurses to work and earn while they learn." Youngkin also discussed the recent report by Virginia's Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC), which said the VDH has failed to perform timely inspections at 99% of inpatient hospitals, 97% of home care organizations and 39% of nursing homes due to financial mismanagement and staffing shortages. "When you have a fundamentally poor performer, like VDH was when we came in, you tackle lots of issues at one time, we've tackled a ton of them, and we're still working on them," Youngkin said. "But I'm very pleased with the progress that we're making."