NM HM36

Requests the Board of Nursing to convene a task force to address New Mexico's nursing shortage crisis and identify barriers to increasing graduation rates and employee retention

New Mexico currently has approximately 18,000 registered nurses, 1,300 licensed practical nurses, and 8,300 advanced practice nurses, but faces a critical workforce shortage with thousands of unfilled job postings monthly

Approximately 3,200 new nurses need to graduate annually to meet staffing needs by 2032, but only 1,400 new nurses graduated in 2025

Task force membership would include representatives from nursing professional organizations, the New Mexico Hospital Association, nursing education consortium, college nursing deans, post-secondary institutions, and high school LPN programs

Task force must report findings and recommendations on barriers to employment retention, nursing educational slot expansion, school enrollment and retention, and solutions to close the nursing education gap to interim legislative committees