U.S. Representative Haley Stevens (D-MI) issued a press release May 9 highlighting her introduction of the Stop Nurse Shortages Act that included a quote of support from MHA CEO Brian Peters. The bipartisan bill, introduced with U.S. Representative Dave Joyce (R-OH), 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.
“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 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.”
The 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.
- Offer financial assistance to students.
Members with any questions regarding media requests should contact John Karasinski at the MHA.