SENATE MEMORIAL 65

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2017

INTRODUCED BY

Elizabeth "Liz" Stefanics

A MEMORIAL

DECLARING FEBRUARY 13, 2017 "NEW MEXICO STUDENT NURSES DAY" IN THE SENATE.

     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 fifteen consecutive years, nursing has been ranked by a Gallup poll as the most trusted profession; and

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

     WHEREAS, the registered nursing workforce 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, New Mexico currently has twenty-seven pre-licensure approved programs of nursing; and

     WHEREAS, the nursing community is appreciative of the legislative support it has received to promote and enhance efforts to ensure a strong, well-educated and diverse nursing workforce for New Mexico;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that February 13, 2017 be designated as "New Mexico Student Nurses Day" in the senate; 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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