Future Advancement of Academic Nursing

Summary#

This bill would add a new section to the Public Health Service Act to create a grant program run by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The program would award grants to schools of nursing to increase the number of nursing students and faculty, expand capacity for public health emergency and pandemic response, and modernize nursing education programs and infrastructure.

The bill lists priorities for grant awards, including schools that are located in or prepare students to work in medically underserved areas, health professional shortage areas, institutions listed under section 371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, and schools in rural or noncontiguous States or territories. Grant funds may be used for activities such as student recruitment and retention (with emphasis on disadvantaged and underrepresented students), hiring and retaining faculty (including underrepresented racial or ethnic groups), building clinical education partnerships, updating technology and simulation resources, creating or improving curriculum, supporting nurse researcher training, and forming interprofessional partnerships. Recipients must submit annual reports, and the Secretary must report to Congress within five years. The bill authorizes $1,000,000,000 to carry out the program, available until expended.

What it means for you#

  • Nursing schools can apply for federal grants to expand programs, hire faculty, set up clinical partnerships, and buy modern equipment like simulators and telehealth tools.
  • Students from disadvantaged backgrounds, rural or underserved areas, and groups underrepresented in nursing are named as priority groups for programs funded by these grants.
  • Schools that serve medically underserved or health professional shortage areas are given priority in grant decisions.
  • Schools receiving grants must file yearly reports about how they used the funds; the agency will provide a public summary report to Congress within five years.

Expenses#

  • The bill authorizes $1,000,000,000 to carry out the grant program, to remain available until expended.
  • No publicly available information about projected budgetary savings, net fiscal impact, or detailed appropriations timing beyond the authorization amount.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.