THE SENATE |
S.C.R. NO. |
215 |
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
H.D. 1 |
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SENATE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
REQUESTING the university of hawaii to investigate and address the feasibility and accessibility of DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING a nursing program at honolulu community college.
WHEREAS, nursing demands in the State have
increased significantly and are further exacerbated by a dire statewide nursing
shortage; and
WHEREAS, nursing vacancies have a negative
effect on patient access, quality of care, and nurses' morale; and
WHEREAS, Kalihi, which encompasses the
surrounding neighborhoods of Iwilei, Palama, and Liliha, has a large number of
Oahu's most vulnerable populations, including individuals with chronic health
conditions and individuals experiencing homelessness; and
WHEREAS, vulnerable populations within
Kalihi and the surrounding area are more prone to developing health problems,
such as diseases of the extremities and skin disorders, and face an increased
risk of physical assault or sexual violence; and
WHEREAS, there are insufficient qualified
health care professionals, including nurses, in Kalihi to address and fulfill
physical and mental health care needs for individuals with chronic health
conditions or experiencing homelessness; and
WHEREAS, numerous licensed assisted living
homes, including Level 1 adult residential care homes, community care foster
family homes, and long-term care facilities, operate in Kalihi and the
surrounding neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, currently, Kapiolani Community
College offers the only community college-level nursing program within urban
Honolulu; and
WHEREAS, a 2017 study published in the
Cureus Journal of Medical Science found that medicine rotations in inner-city
areas did not impact attitudes toward individuals with chronic health conditions
or experiencing homelessness; and
WHEREAS, providing students from Kalihi and
the surrounding neighborhoods with opportunities to participate in rotations
with health care providers in the area may address vacancies given the ongoing
nursing shortage, offer students educational and professional opportunities
closer to home, and allow students to work closely with community partners
experiencing critical needs to support vulnerable populations; and
WHEREAS, the ability to empathize and
understand the needs of vulnerable individuals undergoing treatment creates
opportunities to understand the complexity of providing medical care, improves
cross-cultural communication skills, and provides a stronger network of health
care providers with a unique understanding of the community; and
WHEREAS, developing a nursing program
within Honolulu Community College may also motivate students to pursue
education beyond a community college-level education, which may lead to an
increase of highly skilled nurses in the State; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the
Thirty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2022, the
House of Representatives concurring, that the University of Hawaii is requested
to examine the feasibility and accessibility of developing and implementing a
nursing program at Honolulu Community College; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University
of Hawaii is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations,
including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty
days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2023; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified
copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the President of the
University of Hawaii System, Vice President for Community Colleges of the
University of Hawaii, Chancellor of Honolulu Community College, and Chairperson
of the Kalihi-Palama Neighborhood Board.
University of Hawaii; Honolulu Community
College; Nursing Program; Feasibility; Report