45th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2002

REQUESTING THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CONDUCT A STUDY AND PROVIDE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INTEGRATED APPROACH TO ADDRESS THE NURSING SHORTAGE.

WHEREAS, one hundred twenty-six thousand nurses are needed to fill hospital vacancies nationwide; and

WHEREAS, vacancy rates in New Mexico are approximately twenty percent for registered nurses, twelve to fifteen percent for licensed practical nurses and eleven to twenty percent for certified nursing assistants; and

WHEREAS, vacancies for nursing positions with the public health division of the department of health exceed one hundred; and

WHEREAS, the average age of registered nurses is over forty-three years nationally and over forty-six years in New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, nurses are critical to the effective delivery of health care in hospitals, home care, hospice care, institutional facilities, clinics and physician offices; and

WHEREAS, the aging population and its anticipated increased longevity will place a tremendous demand on the need for nurses;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the department of health be requested to conduct a study that includes:

A. an assessment of the financial support required for effective recruitment and retention of nurses for underserved areas;

B. identification of incentives for nurses to relocate to underserved areas;

C. findings and recommendations on the creation of a center for nursing excellence;

D. collection and evaluation of data on the nature of the state's nursing work force;

E. a review of the feasibility for multistate or regional nurse licensure;

F. recommendations for the development of state-supported education programs to allow rapid realignment of existing programs or development of new programs;

G. recommendations on the creation of a nursing program education development fund to be used as seed money for the rapid development of new programs; and

H. recommendations on the appropriate funding levels for faculty positions in all nursing programs, including Ph.D. faculty positions; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department of health report its findings to the legislative health subcommittee or an appropriate interim committee by October 1, 2002; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the department of health.