HOUSE MEMORIAL 59

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2015

INTRODUCED BY

John L. Zimmerman

A MEMORIAL

DECLARING FEBRUARY 13, 2015 "NEW MEXICO NURSES DAY" IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

     WHEREAS, registered nurses play a critical role in health care delivery; and

     WHEREAS, with an aging United States population, health care demand is growing at an unprecedented pace; and

     WHEREAS, for the last twelve years, nursing has been the most trusted profession, and, in 2014, it ranked fifteen points higher than any other profession according to a Gallup poll; and

     WHEREAS, there will be a nationwide nursing shortage due to retirements and growth, and New Mexico has one of the lowest nurse-to-population ratios in the country; and

     WHEREAS, the registered nursing work force is considered the top occupation in job growth, projected to increase by twenty-six percent by 2020; and

     WHEREAS, nurses work in a variety of settings, with the majority of nurses employed in hospitals where they face increased complexity in medical issues; and

     WHEREAS, a variety of roles have emerged within nursing, such as nurse consultant, nurse informatics specialist, researcher, executive, facility nurse, primary care provider, home health care provider and case manager for chronic illnesses; and

     WHEREAS, nurses work in a variety of settings, including long-term care facilities, homes, correctional facilities, schools, occupational settings and insurance companies, and for regulation entities; and

     WHEREAS, advanced practice nurses, such as nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse-midwives and certified registered nurse anesthetists, fill the gap on access to health care and provide quality, safe and effective care throughout New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, the nursing community is appreciative of the legislative support it has received to promote adequate staffing of the nursing work force and for various nursing loan-for-service opportunities that positively impact the nursing shortage;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that February 13, 2015 be designated as "New Mexico Nurses Day" in the house of representatives; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the executive director of the New Mexico nurses association.

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