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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Nurse practitioners contribute immeasurably to the |
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health and wellness of countless people in the State of Texas, many |
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of whom turn to nurse practitioners for their primary care needs; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Nurse practitioners are health care providers with |
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the expertise to order and perform diagnostic tests, diagnose and |
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treat acute and chronic conditions, and prescribe medications and |
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other treatments; to become nurse practitioners, registered nurses |
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must undergo a rigorous process of national certification, and they |
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are subject to periodic peer review and evaluation to ensure that |
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they adhere to a high standard of practice; nurse practitioners |
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must also complete a master's degree program, and an increasing |
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number hold doctorates as well; and |
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WHEREAS, These qualified medical professionals attend to the |
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health care needs of people in a diverse range of health care |
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settings, which include hospitals, private offices, schools, state |
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and local health departments, urgent and long-term care facilities, |
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and retail-based clinics; nearly one-fifth of them practice in |
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rural areas with populations of fewer than 25,000 people, providing |
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quality care where access might otherwise be limited; and |
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WHEREAS, In addition to the clinical services that they |
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offer, nurse practitioners are trained to advise clients on disease |
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prevention and assist them in making informed health and lifestyle |
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choices; this holistic approach is shown to help lower overall |
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costs and result in fewer emergency room visits and shorter |
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hospital stays for patients who choose nurse practitioners as their |
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primary care providers; and |
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WHEREAS, Currently, there are more than 200,000 licensed |
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nurse practitioners in the United States, and over 13,000 are |
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estimated to be practicing in Texas; at a time when the state is |
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facing a significant and growing shortage of health professionals, |
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nurse practitioners are ideally positioned to help alleviate the |
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overburdened medical system, particularly in underserved areas |
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that stand to benefit most from their presence; and |
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WHEREAS, With the expert care and personalized treatment that |
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they administer every day, nurse practitioners play an |
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indispensable role in health care delivery, and this special |
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observance provides an opportunity to extend appreciation to those |
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individuals who choose this demanding yet vital profession; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize February 11, 2015, as Nurse |
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Practitioner Day at the State Capitol and commend nurse |
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practitioners for the health care services they provide. |