Representative Haley Stevens Introduces Bill to Fill Significant Nurse Openings in the U.S.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last night, U.S. Representatives Haley Stevens (D-MI) and U.S. Representative Dave Joyce (R-OH) introduced the Stop Nurse Shortages Act. The bill would create a grant program to help nursing schools create, expand, or support accelerated nursing degree programs, which are geared towards training those with an undergraduate degree in another field as nurses at an accelerated pace.
“Nurses are the backbone of our healthcare system providing the frontline care families and patients rely on,” said Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI). “Unfortunately, there is a significant number of nurse openings across the country and that is what this bill is designed to address. By offering grants to schools to stand up or support accelerated nursing programs, these schools will be able to graduate more nurses. I’m proud to join my colleague from Ohio, Representative Dave Joyce, in authoring and introducing this important legislation.”
“At a time when our country faces a nursing workforce shortage, legislators on both sides of the aisle must come together. If we don’t, America’s patient population will pay the price,” said Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH), Co-Chair of the Congressional Nursing Caucus. “That’s why I am proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to ensure those who are interested in pursuing a career in nursing have access to the high-quality education and training opportunities they need.”
“Sustaining a robust nursing workforce is essential to ensuring access to care for all Americans in need,” said Dr. Jean Giddens, Board Chair for the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). “Academic nursing leaders applaud Representative Haley Stevens and Representative Dave Joyce for introducing the Stop Nurse Shortages Act, which will open doors to careers in nursing for a new wave of well-educated healthcare providers.”
“By expanding enrollment in accelerated programs at both the baccalaureate and master’s level, this federal support will help schools nationwide to prepare more practice-ready nurses,” said Dr. Deborah Trautman, AACN President and Chief Executive Officer. “In addition to student aid, we are pleased to see funding for hiring nurse faculty and expanding clinical training opportunities included in this bill.”
“The American Nurses Association (ANA) commends Representative Stevens for reintroducing this essential and timely act. Investing in nurses translates to investing in our communities, particularly when policymakers and leaders implement measures to strengthen the education to workforce pipeline,” said ANA President Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA, FAAN. “Accelerated programs are a fantastic opportunity for students who already have a degree in a non-nursing field to enter into the nursing profession completing either a bachelors or masters degree in nursing. The ANA strongly supports this effort to provide greater funding to faculty, student financial assistance, and overall building a well-prepared nursing workforce to meet health care’s future needs.”
“The Stop Nurse Shortages Act will provide critically needed support for accelerated degree programs to assist students, expand clinical training opportunities, and help schools of nursing recruit and retain the faculty essential to address our nation’s nursing shortage,” said National League for Nursing President and CEO Dr. Beverly Malone. “On behalf of almost 1,100 schools of nursing and nearly 45,000 members, the National League for Nursing applauds Representative Stevens for her leadership in proposing this important legislation.”
"As an educator and an APRN, I applaud the reintroduction of the Stop Nurse Shortage Act, important legislation that will help bolster our ability to educate RNs and APRNs," said Dru Riddle, President of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA). "This will ensure that we have enough nurses to treat patients everywhere, particularly in the rural and underserved communities where Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists and other APRNs predominate."
“Accelerated nursing programs provide a streamlined pathway for individuals who already hold a degree in another field to transition into nursing,” said American Organization for Nursing Leadership Chief Executive Officer, Robyn Begley. “Second-career nurses often bring diverse experiences to nursing practice and patient care.”
“We are proud of Representative Stevens for taking a leading role in growing the nursing pipeline and addressing the national nurse shortage by introducing the Stop Nurse Shortages Act,” said Michigan Health & Hospital Association CEO Brian Peters. “Removing funding barriers to hiring and retaining nurse faculty and preceptors, as well as providing financial assistance to students, can go a long way towards graduating the number of nurses our hospitals need to continue to provide exceptional patient care to all Michiganders.”
Background
This legislation authorizes a $10 million/year grant program allowing nursing schools to create, expand or support an accelerated nursing degree program. To increase the number of graduating nurses through these programs, nursing schools will be able to use grants to:
- Hire and retain faculty and preceptors;
- Increase the number of clinical trainings sites; or
- Offer financial assistance to students.
This bill is supported by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the American Nurses Association, the National League for Nursing, the American Association for Nurse Anesthesiology, the American Organization for Nursing Leadership, the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, and the Michigan Health and Hospital Association.
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