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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Nurse anesthetists were the first professional |
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health care workers to provide anesthesia in the United States, and |
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they compose the oldest recognized group of advanced-practice |
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registered nurse specialists in this country; and |
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WHEREAS, These registered nurses have completed a rigorous, |
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graduate-level course of academic and clinical study in a |
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nationally accredited program of nurse anesthesia; following |
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graduation, they are qualified to take the national certifying |
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examination; and |
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WHEREAS, All graduates of nurse anesthesia educational |
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programs receive a master's degree, and those who successfully pass |
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the certifying exam may use the title certified registered nurse |
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anesthetist (CRNA); and |
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WHEREAS, According to the American Association of Nurse |
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Anesthetists, more than 65 percent of all rural hospitals rely on |
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CRNAs to provide anesthesia care; without these advanced-practice |
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nurses, some 1,500 facilities would be unable to maintain trauma |
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stabilization, surgical, and obstetrical capabilities, a |
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circumstance that would force many rural Americans to travel long |
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distances to obtain such services; and |
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WHEREAS, Each year, CRNAs working in hospitals, ambulatory |
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surgical centers, physicians' offices, and medical facilities of |
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the U.S. military, Department of Veterans Affairs, and Public |
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Health Service are the hands-on providers of approximately 65 |
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percent of all anesthetics given to patients in the United States, |
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and in rural communities the percentage is even higher; and |
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WHEREAS, The delivery of health care in this country is |
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dependent, in large measure, on the work of certified registered |
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nurse anesthetists, and it is indeed fitting that they be honored |
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for the crucial role that they fulfill; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 80th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize January 21-27, 2007, as Nurse |
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Anesthetists Week in Texas and extend deep appreciation to all |
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certified registered nurse anesthetists for the great skill and |
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dedication they bring to their challenging vocation. |