1742                            JOINT RESOLUTIONS

No. 12

(Senate Joint Resolution 52)

Senate Joint Resolution requesting the Maryland State Department
of Education, Division of Vocational Education, and the Maryland
State Board of Examiners of Nurses to take appropriate steps to
enable low-income working adults to obtain a practical nursing
education which would qualify them to write the examination for
practical nurse licensure, and to disseminate information concern-
ing available opportunities for such working adults and to request
the local Departments of Employment Security to make known
health manpower needs.

Whereas, There is a continuing need for Licensed Practical Nurses
in most health services; and

Whereas, Employers of practical nurses licensed by the waiver
clause of the Nurses Licensing Act have found that many times these
individuals cannot be utilized in positions usually assigned to Licensed
Practical Nurses because they do not have the necessary competency
achieved by those educated in a formal practical nursing education
program; and

Whereas, There are presently in operation federally financed pro-
grams of practical nursing education leading to practical nurse li-
censure which provide financial assistance to those of low income
who, without additional funds provided by the Federal Government,
could not afford to pursue practical nursing education while provid-
ing for themselves and their families the necessities of life; now,
therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Maryland State Department of Education, Divi-
sion of Vocational Education, and the Maryland State Board of
Examiners of Nurses are strongly urged to encourage the expansion
of the existing programs of practical nursing and encourage innova-
tions in practical nurse education that will enable low-income work-
ing adults to obtain a practical nursing education which would
qualify them to write the examination for practical nurse licensure;
and be it further

Resolved, That the Maryland State Department of Education, Di-
vision of Vocational Education is requested to disseminate informa-
tion to hospitals and nursing homes concerning the opportunities
presently available for working adults to enter programs of practical
nursing; and be it further

Resolved, That the local Departments of Employment Security are
requested to work more closely with community health service facil-
ities in order to assess the health manpower needs and make these
known to the Maryland State Department of Education, Division of
Vocational Education; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this Joint Resolution be sent to the Mary-
land State Department of Education, Division of Vocational Educa-
tion; the Department of Adult Education of the Montgomery County
Public Schools; the Maryland State Board of Examiners of Nurses;