88R15584 BK-D
By: Reynolds H.R. No. 459
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The observance of Texas Black Nurses Day on
March 29, 2023, serves as an opportunity to highlight the
contributions of Black nurses and to raise awareness of the
importance of diversity in the nursing profession; and
WHEREAS, Although the nursing workforce in the state of Texas
remains predominately Caucasian, the number of Black nurses in
Texas has grown to more closely mirror statewide demographics;
according to statistics compiled by the Texas Board of Nursing in
2019, Black nurses represent around 14 percent of the total number
of registered and licensed vocational nurses in Texas; Black
individuals also constitute over 11 percent of our state's
registered nurses, compared to 6.7 percent of registered nurses
nationwide, and further represent 17.8 percent of faculty in
registered nursing pre-licensure programs throughout the state;
and
WHEREAS, As Texas becomes increasingly more diverse, there is
a greater need for a diverse nursing workforce with the ability to
provide quality, culturally informed patient care to a variety of
populations; a growing body of research supports the benefits,
including improved patient care and cost savings, from having a
health care workforce that more closely resembles the population it
serves; compared to their White counterparts, Black nurses are more
likely to practice in underserved areas with a larger percentage of
Black families and are also more likely to accept patients who are
covered by Medicaid, thus helping to bring their communities closer
to achieving health equity; and
WHEREAS, The Black nurses of our state have earned our
deepest gratitude for the tremendous skill and passion they have
demonstrated and for their noble commitment to the health and
well-being of their patients, and it is indeed fitting that a
special day be set aside to honor them; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby recognize March 29, 2023, as Texas Black Nurses
Day and commend Black nurses across the Lone Star State for the
compassion, expertise, and professionalism they bring to their
vocation.