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HOUSE MEMORIAL 17

TH LEGISLATURE

- STATE OF NEW MEXICO -

FIRST SESSION

, 2007

INTRODUCED BY

Rhonda S. King

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO HEALTH POLICY COMMISSION TO STUDY AND

MAKE POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS TO INCREASE NURSE RECRUITMENT AND

RETENTION IN NEW MEXICO HOSPITALS.

WHEREAS, research and concern are increasing regarding the

nursing work force and projected short- and long-term shortages

of nurses; and

WHEREAS, New Mexico hospitals and other health care

providers are facing serious shortages of professional nurses;

and

WHEREAS, physicians and nurses agree that hospital

staffing levels of nurses are often inadequate to ensure safe

and effective care of patients, diminishing inpatient capacity,

which leads to emergency department overcrowding; and

WHEREAS, a 2001 national study identified a clear link

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between nurse staffing levels, job dissatisfaction and nurse

retention; and

WHEREAS, the need to attract and retain greater numbers of

nurses within New Mexico will continue for the foreseeable

future; and

WHEREAS, a well-qualified, satisfied, stable and adequate

supply of nurses is a shared concern for employers, employees,

consumers, families and private and public payers of hospital

services; and

WHEREAS, increased nurse recruitment and retention could

result in reduced errors, increased patient safety and outcomes

and improved job satisfaction for nurses; and

WHEREAS, there currently is no hospital in New Mexico that

has obtained "magnet recognition status" by the American nurses

credentialing center;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico

health policy commission be requested to study the impact of

nurse staffing and retention issues, to research and publish a

study of the hospital environments that attract nurses, provide

them with job satisfaction, encourage them to give high-quality

care and make them want to remain within the nursing profession

and to research what other states are doing or considering to

make hospital nursing more attractive. The study should

analyze and make recommendations to the legislature about

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turnover rates, vacancy rates, patient outcomes data, nursing-

sensitive quality indicators and organizational factors that

lead to the development of best practices in hospital nursing;

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in conducting the study, the

New Mexico health policy commission confer with others with

knowledge and interest in nursing, to include the board of

nursing, statewide associations representing hospitals and

health systems, physicians, nurses, nurse executives, labor

organizations representing nursing and a statewide organization

dedicated to excellence in nursing; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the New Mexico health policy

commission report its findings and recommendations to the

legislative health and human services committee at its October

2007 meeting; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be

transmitted to the director of the New Mexico health policy

commission, the executive director of the New Mexico hospital

and health systems association and the New Mexico chapter of

the American college of emergency physicians.

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