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.166967.1
SENATE MEMORIAL 18
48
TH LEGISLATURE
- STATE OF NEW MEXICO -
FIRST SESSION
, 2007
INTRODUCED BY
John T. L. Grubesic
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 SENATE 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 turnover rates,
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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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