HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes2022-119 Support Multistate Nurse Licensure Compact Sponsored by: Bower
CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2022-119
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD,
ALASKA, SUPPORTING ALASKA JOINING THE MULTISTATE NURSE
LICENSURE COMPACT
WHEREAS, Alaska faces a debilitating healthcare workforce shortage that threatens our
healthcare system, economy, and access to care; and
WHEREAS, Alaska will have the highest nurse vacancies in the United States by 2030,
with over 5,000 openings and a 22% shortfall; and
WHEREAS,Alaska already cannot keep up with demand,which requires filling 6,300 job
openings each year,including over 1,400 nurse openings; and
WHEREAS,the average age of a nurse and nurse practitioner in the U.S.is 57 and Alaska
is not graduating enough nursing students to fill this growing need now or in the future; and
WHEREAS,Alaska's slow licensing process is a deterrent for nurses wanting to practice
here, with recruits regularly turning down jobs over waiting months for a license; and
WHEREAS, there is an immediate, commonsense solution that the State of Alaska can
take to address these workforce challenges:join the multistate Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC);
and
WHEREAS, the NLC is used by 39 states and jurisdictions across the country, allowing
qualified nurses to practice across state lines with a single license; and
WHEREAS, joining the NLC means aligning with a vast majority of the country in
following uniform practice standards that will modernize Alaska's licensing of nurses, taking the
process from months to a matter of days; and
WHEREAS, safe and efficient licensing will directly benefit the health of Alaska's rural
and underserved communities, and support Alaska's military community by allowing military
spouse nurses to work seamlessly upon arrival to Alaska; and
WHEREAS, joining a multistate compact is not an affront to Alaska's sovereignty, as
Alaska has been a member of at least 32 multistate compacts across several industries, and
Alaska's Board of Nursing will maintain full control of licensure,discipline,scope of practice,and
authority to suspend unqualified nurses in Alaska; and
CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2022-119
WHEREAS, enacting the NLC requires the Alaska Legislature to adopt the compact into
law, and any future changes will be subject to the scrutiny and approval of Alaska's elected
officials; and
WHEREAS,the NLC is administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing,
which is a not-for-profit organization consisting of the nursing regulatory bodies from all 50 states,
including Alaska; and
WHEREAS, Hawaii, which faces similar healthcare delivery challenges as Alaska, is
strongly considering joining the NLC, as demonstrated by support from the Hawaii Nurses
Association, a prominent labor union; and
WHEREAS, Alaska nurses overwhelmingly support the NLC with 92% of respondents
favoring the NLC in a formal survey conducted in 2019 by the Alaska Board of Nursing.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA that:
Section 1. The City of Seward supports Alaska Joining the Multistate Nurse Licensure
Compact.
Section 2. This resolution is effective upon adoption.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Seward, Alaska,this 28th
day of November, 2022.
THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
Sue McClure,Mayor
AYES: DeMoss, Calhoon, Wells, Finch, Barnwell, McClure
NOES: None
ABSENT: Osenga
ABSTAIN: None r
ma OFSE ��,••ATTEST: 4rF�0•••,,
ktizi.y%
;�� : L 1 •
Brenda J. Ballou p, MC s •.
City Clerk •••, cS'j"�.�;NE 1,'0 •G+'���Q-••••
(City Seal) ` ,7 OF A�-.os
City Council Agenda Statement
Meeting Date: November 28, 2022
To: City Council
From: Janette Bower, City Manager
Agenda Item: Resolution 2022-119: Supporting Alaska Joining the Multistate Nurse
Licensure Compact
Background and justification:
Alaska is facing severe health care workforce shortages and it will require creative solutions to build
and retain a strong nursing workforce. A major barrier to bringing new nurses to Alaska and
encouraging nursing school graduates to stay in state is the cumbersome and duplicative
professional licensing process.
Prospective nurses can wait more than four months to receive their Alaska state nursing license.
This process is in addition to facility background checks, hiring processes and credentialing
procedures required by federal law and/or employers. Like other Alaska hospitals, Providence is
losing new hires who cannot afford to wait nearly five months to begin work. These are nurses who
are choosing to live and work in Alaska but are being turned away by red tape at a time when we
need them the most.
Providence worked with the Alaska Hospital and Healthcare Association, the Alaska Division of
Professional Licensing, and the Alaska Board of Nursing on a series of temporary and emergency
solutions to address back logs and increased demand during the pandemic. These have been
temporary and unsustainable.
A solution is for Alaska to formally join the multistate Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Created by
the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, the NLC is an interstate agreement between 39-
states and jurisdictions (September 2022) that permits registered nurses (RNs) and licensed
practical vocational nurses(LPN/LVNs)to practice in other compact states without having to secure
an additional license.
States who join the NLC do not sacrifice quality, safety, or local control. Since their license is issued
by their primary state of residence, each nurse is subject to the discipline and laws of the Board of
Nursing in the state of residence.
Alaska cannot compete with states whose professional licensing process takes less than half the
time as ours. This puts Alaska at a significant market disadvantage as nurses and new nursing
school graduates look at the many employment opportunities available throughout the country.
This is not just a health care issue; it is a workforce issue. Our ability to support and grow a robust
health care system directly impacts Alaska businesses' ability to attract and retain employees.
Comprehensive and Strategic Plan Consistency Information
This legislation is consistent with (citation listed):
Comprehensive Plan: 2.2.6 Healthcare
Strategic Plan: Maintain and enhance medical and social services
Other:
60
Certification of Funds
Total amount of funds listed in this legislation: $ 0
This legislation (✓):
Creates revenue in the amount of: $
Creates expenditure in amount of: $
Creates a savings in the amount of: $
x Has no fiscal impact
Funds are (✓):
Budgeted Line item(s):
Not budgeted
x Not applicable
Fund Balance Information
Affected Fund (✓):
General SMIC Electric Wastewater
Boat Harbor Parking F1 Water F1 Healthcare
Motor Pool Other
Note:amounts are unaudited
Fund Balance/Net position — restricted $
Fund Balance/Net position — unrestricted/unassigned $
Available Unrestricted Cash Balance: $
Finance Director Signature:
Attorney Review
RxYes Attorney Signature:
Not applicable Comments:
Administration Recommendation
eAdopt Resolution
Other:
61