Regional Forums to Address Statewide Nursing Shortage
Events to be held in Albuquerque, Roswell, Clovis, Las Cruces, Gallup, Espanola
ALBUQUERQUE, NM, June 19, 2008 --New Mexico First, a nonpartisan organization formed by U.S. Senators Pete Domenici and Jeff Bingaman in 1986, announced open registration for Moving from Talk to Action: Building Community Plans for a Strong Nursing Workforce, a one-day forum being held in communities around the state. By the end of each forum, participants will have shared their best ideas for how to develop and implement community and state plans for addressing the nursing shortage in New Mexico.
“I believe these forums will be a critical element in improving our state’s shortage of nurses,” commented Allison Kozeliski,Executive Director for the New Mexico Board of Nursing. “Our goal is to create a structure and process that supports community-driven plans for addressing this shortage. Change begins at the community, and we believe communities can best affect the changes needed to retain and educate the nurses that are needed in each New Mexico community. ”
“The impact of the nursing shortage is unique to each community. Coordinating both state and local efforts can help us achieve the best results in the shortest amount of time,” noted Patricia Boyle, Executive Director for the New Mexico Center for Nursing Excellence. “The NMCNE will make every effort to further the outcomes of the forums and exceed expectations,”she commented.
The forums will be facilitated by New Mexico First using their proven consensus-building process. After the forums, the New Mexico Board of Nursing and the New Mexic o Center for Nursing Excellence will organize and support volunteer action teams to advance the recommendations.
Each forum will be limited to 50 participants. Attendees should register by visiting www.nmfirst.org. A background report will be released within the week.
Who: Staff nurses, nursing administrators and managers, nursing employers, nursing educators, college/university administrators, community health council members, community leaders and members, policymakers
What: Forum on the shortage of nurses in New Mexico
Where: Albuquerque, June 30, Roswell, July 11, Clovis, July 18, Las Cruces, August 1, Gallup, August 15, Espanola, September 5
Convener: New Mexico Board of Nursing and New Mexico Center for Nursing Excellence
Facilitator: New Mexico First, a nonpartisan organization dedicated to engaging citizens in policy
Registration: Register by visiting www.nmfirst.org or for more information please call 505.241.4813
Cost: Free. Pre-registration is required and each forum is limited to 50 participants.