SR6

THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	6
TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2006
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

REQUESTING THE HAWAII STATE CENTER FOR NURSING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII TO INVESTIGATE AND RECOMMEND WAYS TO ASSIST THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS TO RELIEVE THE NURSING SHORTAGE AND ENSURE A CONTINUOUS, ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF NURSES TO STAFF HOSPITALS AND OTHER MEDICAL FACILITIES IN THE STATE.

WHEREAS, recent studies have shown a direct correlation, particularly with elderly patients, between the amount of time a nurse spends with each patient each day and the patient's outcome; and

WHEREAS, the availability of nurses is essential to public health; and

WHEREAS, however, there are thirty-three states, including Hawaii, that are experiencing nursing shortages. By 2020, that number is expected to grow to forty-four states; and

WHEREAS, twenty-eight per cent of the nurses in the workforce are over fifty years of age, and forty-eight per cent are between thirty-five and forty-nine years of age; and

WHEREAS, history shows that most nurses retire between the ages of fifty-three and fifty-six. The impending retirement of the most highly trained and experienced nurses will exacerbate the crisis in nursing shortage; and

WHEREAS, as the nursing population moves toward retirement, hospitals will find it increasingly difficult to attain sufficient staffing levels; and

WHEREAS, the Hawaii State Center for Nursing at the University of Hawaii is part of a consortium between providers and nursing educators that works to ensure that Hawaii has a sufficient supply of nurses with the skills and competencies to meet Hawaii's health care needs; and

WHEREAS, the Hawaii State Center for Nursing is the hub of statewide nursing workforce data collection and supports proactive workforce planning, fosters recruitment initiatives, and implements, evaluates, and disseminates strategies that lead to higher levels of job satisfaction and improved retention among nurses; and

WHEREAS, the health and well-being of Hawaii residents will suffer great harm if the State does not move to ensure an adequate supply of qualified nurses to staff its hospitals and other medical facilities; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2006, that the Hawaii State Center for Nursing at the University of Hawaii is requested to investigate and recommend ways to assist the public and private sectors to relieve the nursing shortage and ensure a continuous, adequate supply of nurses to staff hospitals and other medical facilities in the State; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Hawaii State Center for Nursing is requested to include the following in its investigation:

(1) Enhancing the University of Hawaii's ability to educate nurses at an increased capacity;

(2) Determining whether the private sector is interested in establishing an accredited nursing school in Hawaii, and what incentives can be offered;

(3) Recruiting individuals with medical training who have recently separated from the armed forces to enroll in the University of Hawaii School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene, and determining whether these individuals can be awarded academic credit for their military medical training or experience;

(4) Establishing a program in which nursing students can be awarded tuition credits if they enter into a written contract with the School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene agreeing to work as nurses in the State for a certain period of time; and

(5) Establishing incentives to recruit nurses from other states; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Hawaii State Center for Nursing is further requested to create a five-year strategic plan to integrate its findings and recommendations; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Hawaii State Center for Nursing is requested to submit its findings, recommendations, the five-year strategic plan, and any proposed legislation necessary to implement the strategic plan, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2007; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Regents and the President of the University of Hawaii, the Dean of the School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene, the Dean of the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine, the President of Hawaii Pacific University, the President of the Hawaii Nurses Association, the Chairperson of the Board of Nursing, the President of the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, the Chairperson of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations Workforce Development Council, the Chairperson of the City and County of Honolulu Workforce Investment Board, the Chancellors of the University of Hawaii community colleges, the President of the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, the President of Hawaii Pacific Health, the President of Hawaii Air Ambulance, and the Director of Health who, in turn, is requested to distribute copies to all hospitals, medical facilities, and health maintenance organizations in the State.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Nursing Shortage; UH School of Nursing & Dental Hygiene Study