The U.S. Senate on Jan. 24 unanimously approved bipartisan legislation offered by U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) that aims to tackle the nation’s nursing shortage.
“I am pleased that the Senate passed this bipartisan legislation that will identify strategies to close the faculty gap and other potential solutions to strengthen our nursing workforce, ultimately improving access to care, particularly in underserved communities in Maine and across the country,” Sen. Collins said.
The Train More Nurses Act, S. 2853, which Sen. Collins cosponsored on Sept. 19, 2023, alongside bill sponsor U.S. Sen Jacky Rosen (D-NV), would direct the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Secretary of Labor to review all nursing grant programs in efforts to find ways to increase faculty at nursing schools, particularly in underserved areas, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.
Additionally, S. 2853 would increase pathways for Licensed Practical Nurses to become Registered Nurses, the summary says.
“In the midst of a growing demand for medical treatments and services, healthcare providers across Maine continue to face a significant shortage of nurses,” said Sen. Collins. “One challenge in growing the nursing workforce to meet this demand is the limited supply of nursing faculty available to increase student enrollment and train the next generation of nurses.”
The measure now heads to the U.S. House of Representatives, which is considering the same-named H.R. 6122, introduced on Oct. 30, 2023, by U.S. Reps. Zachary Nunn (R-IA) and Dina Titus (D-NV).