SENATE MEMORIAL 20

56th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2023

INTRODUCED BY

Elizabeth "Liz" Stefanics

 

 

 

 

 

A MEMORIAL

DECLARING FEBRUARY 2, 2023 "NEW MEXICO STUDENT NURSES DAY" IN THE SENATE.

 

     WHEREAS, the American public for the twenty-first consecutive year has ranked nurses number one in Gallup's annual poll as the most honest and ethical profession; and

     WHEREAS, nursing is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States and serves as the backbone of the health care delivery system; and

     WHEREAS, nursing as a career provides economic stability for individuals and their families and has positive economic impacts for communities; and

     WHEREAS, the 2022 New Mexico health care workforce committee report to the legislature estimated that only sixteen thousand four hundred sixty-six registered nurses holding New Mexico nursing licenses were practicing in the state; and

     WHEREAS, the same report estimates that despite positive growth, an additional five thousand eight hundred sixty-three registered nurses are needed for New Mexico to begin to meet national benchmarks to ensure quality care; and

     WHEREAS, nurses serve New Mexico's population across many settings, including community and private health clinics, home care and hospice, schools, nursing facilities, employee health, corrections, research, academia and hospitals; and

     WHEREAS, the legislature has supported funding for New Mexico's educational institutions to begin to build the capacity of nursing programs to increase New Mexico's supply of registered nurses; and

     WHEREAS, the board of nursing has approved sixteen pre-licensure programs for nursing that ensure geographic diversity for recruitment of students into the nursing profession; and

     WHEREAS, the growing number of seriously ill patients creates a demand for more nurses who can provide complex and specialized care; and

     WHEREAS, today, more than two hundred student nurses from New Mexico are visiting the state capitol;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that February 2, 2023 be declared "New Mexico Student Nurses Day" in the senate in honor of all New Mexico student nurses; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the executive director of the board of nursing and the chair of the New Mexico student nurses' association.

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