WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Kevin Cramer (R-ND) recently introduced the National Nursing Workforce Center Act, bipartisan, bicameral legislation that would support nursing workforce centers across the country and help address nursing workforce shortages.
“Nurses play a crucial role in providing accessible, high-quality care to Americans. Resolving existing nursing workforce challenges, the increased demand for health care services and the aging workforce requires innovative approaches that support and strengthen every aspect of the nursing workforce pipeline,” said Senator Tillis. “I’m proud to co-introduce the bipartisan National Nursing Workforce Center Act which will enhance collaboration and coordination, enabling state and local experts to identify and address unique challenges to increase the resiliency of the nursing workforce.”
“Access to care in American communities depends on having well-prepared, caring, and safety-centered nurses in every U.S. county, ensuring workforce stability and addressing the economic impact of healthcare,” said the National Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers Board of Directors. “Strengthening and investing in the nursing workforce is essential to safeguarding the health and safety of all Americans, regardless of where they live, and securing equitable access to care across both rural and urban areas.”
Background:
As the nation’s largest healthcare profession, nurses play a vital role in improving health outcomes in virtually every community. However, the demand for nurses is greatly outpacing supply, and by 2027, the country will face a 10% shortage of registered nurses. Fewer practicing nurses can lead to delays in treatments or procedures, longer hospital stays and increased adverse patient events.
It is now abundantly clear that improved federal and state coordination is needed to monitor nursing shortages, coordinate strategies to alleviate the pressures on the nursing workforce, and advise policymakers, health care leaders, and educators. This legislation aims to address the nursing workforce shortage by supporting the data, research, and training capabilities of nursing workforce centers both nationally and locally so that patients get the care they need.
The National Nursing Workforce Center Act would:
- Make a small technical correction to enable HRSA to establish a federal nursing-focused health workforce research and technical assistance center;
- Establish a pilot program through HRSA to support state-based nursing workforce centers, which often report underfunding and lack of technical capabilities; and
- Deliver reports assessing the impact of this partnership and if and how it should be expanded nationwide.
A one-pager of the bill is available HERE.
Full text of the bill is available HERE.
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