Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 123 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to find a solution for the critical nursing shortage in Hawaii by urging the National Council of State Boards of Nursing to conduct its licensure examination in the city of Manila in the Philippines where a great many willing and able prospective nurses reside.

The Board of Nursing and several concerned individuals supported this concurrent resolution.

Your Committee finds that international test administration for nursing students seeks to provide convenience to candidates by reducing the time and expense of traveling to the United States and does not sacrifice high standards expected of applicants. Broadening our scope of applicants may have the potential to increase the number of nurses staffing our health care facilities in Hawaii. Some concerns were raised, however, that there are currently locally educated nursing students who are unable to find employment opportunities and question attempts to bring in foreign workers to a job market place that is seemingly closed at this point in time.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 123 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.