Train More Nurses Act
Train More Nurses Act would require two federal departments to work together to evaluate how current grant programs support the nursing workforce. HHS and the Department of Labor must review all of their nurse-related grant programs and, within one year of enactment, provide Congress with a report that includes recommended changes. The goal of these recommendations is to strengthen the nursing workforce by: (1) increasing nurse faculty, especially in underserved areas; (2) creating pathways for nurses with more than 10 years of clinical experience to become faculty at schools of nursing; and (3) expanding the nursing pipeline by enabling licensed practical nurses (LPNs) to become registered nurses (RNs). The bill does not itself create new funding or grant programs; it directs a study and a subsequent report with recommendations.
Key Points
- 1Joint review requirement: The Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Labor must review all grant programs run by their departments that support the nursing workforce.
- 2Reporting deadline: A final report with recommendations must be submitted to Congress no later than one year after enactment.
- 3Focus of recommendations: Changes should aim to (A) increase nurse faculty, especially in underserved areas; (B) provide pathways for experienced clinicians (10+ years) to become nursing school faculty; (C) broaden the pipeline by enabling LPNs to advance to RN roles.
- 4Purpose: The act seeks to improve effectiveness and impact of federal grants on nursing education and workforce development.
- 5Funding/authorities: The bill as written does not authorize new funding or new grant programs; it centers on study and recommendations.