46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2003

REQUESTING THE BOARD OF NURSING TO STUDY THE LICENSING OF MILITARY HOSPITAL CORPSMEN AS NURSES.

WHEREAS, New Mexico faces a severe health care provider shortage, particularly in nursing, as experienced providers retire, leave the state or change careers and young people make other career choices; and

WHEREAS, registered and licensed practical nurses are a critical component of the health care delivery system that provides patient care, and are even more important in providing care in physician shortage areas; and

WHEREAS, the state has an untapped resource in men and women who were trained and who practiced as military hospital corpsmen, and who, while in the military service, provided services similar to civilian licensed practical nurses and emergency medical technicians; and

WHEREAS, in addition, military hospital corpsmen have education and training in responding to bioterrorism, which would benefit health care facilities in countermeasure preparation, and may have battlefield experience to bring to bear for triage; and

WHEREAS, military hospital corpsmen may be immediately qualified to be examined for licensure as licensed practical nurses and perhaps could be qualified relatively quickly for licensure as registered nurses; and

WHEREAS, the inclusion of military hospital corpsmen in the civilian nursing profession would foster the board of nursing's career ladder concept;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the board of nursing conduct an in-depth comparison of curricula, training and job descriptions of military hospital corpsmen against requirements for levels of licensure for nurses in New Mexico and explore at what appropriate level of licensure military hospital corpsmen should be able to sit for examination to enter the nursing profession in New Mexico; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the board of nursing consult with military and civilian physicians and hospital administrators, nursing home administrators, home health agencies, schools of nursing and other appropriate parties; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the board of nursing report its findings and recommendations, including the comparison study, to the appropriate interim legislative committee by November 1, 2003; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the board of nursing.