Bill addresses national shortage of nurses

BANGOR – U.S. Rep. John Baldacci announced Monday that he is seeking passage of legislation to address the ongoing shortage of nurses in Maine and throughout the country.

The 2nd District congressman is co-sponsoring the Nurse Reinvestment Act. It would initiate a series of actions designed to increase the number of nurses nationwide.

Specifically, the bill would promote nursing through a national advertising campaign; establish grants for outreach to students in public schools to focus attention on nursing; provide transportation, child care and other services for people in nursing school; create grants to enable more people to obtain advanced nursing education; offer scholarships in exchange for a commitment to serve areas in greatest need of nurses; increase funding for the education and training of nurses for rural health centers, long-term care facilities and home health care through Medicare; establish grants for Health Career Academies – nursing instruction for high school curriculum; and create grants for Nursing School Faculty Development – loans, scholarships and stipends for bachelor of science in nursing graduates and master’s students for rapid completion of doctoral studies.

Baldacci said that without national action the current nursing shortage is expected to be acute within 10 years. He said the average age of employed registered nurses is 45, and that by 2010, approximately 40 percent of the RN work force will be over 50 years of age.

He also said there has been a 41 percent decline in the number of nurses under 30 years of age. Graduates from nursing programs have declined nearly 14 percent since 1995.

“This important legislation would have a substantial impact on the current nursing shortage problem. Steps must be taken now to ensure that quality nursing care is available throughout Maine and the nation. This bill is urgently needed. It will address a significant health care issue across America,” Baldacci said.