SAN DIEGO -- San Diego-based AMN Healthcare plans to eliminate nearly 190 positions in California and three other states, including about 40 jobs at the company's Carmel Valley headquarters, it was reported Thursday.

The layoffs will be part of a restructuring of the company's nurse staffing division, AMN spokesman Don Cowan told The San Diego Union-Tribune.

AMN provides temporary medical staff to hospitals, clinics and physician practices, including nurses, doctors and technicians. The company was founded by Steve Francis, who ran unsuccessfully in the last two San Diego mayoral campaigns, financing his own campaign both times.

In his last bid, Francis spent $4 million, while the eventual winner, Mayor Jerry Sanders, had a war chest of about $426,000.

Shares of AMN fell 46 cents on Wednesday, closing at $6.42. The stock has lost 77 percent of its value since early September.