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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
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
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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, 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
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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.