Establishes the empire state professional nursing scholarship program and grants for nursing education

Section 260 authorizes the Commissioner of Education Health and President of Higher Education Services Corporation (1) to establish a program to provide financial support to applicants who enter or continue in a registered nurse education program (2) identify shortage areas in relation to either nursing specialty, setting or region of New York State.

The award of scholarships to New York State residents will be based on preferences and criteria specified in the legislation in subdivisions four, five and six.

A scholarship award of up to $15,000 per year of study may be awarded to both full or part-time study and are calculated based on the student's expenses to attend nursing school. The legislation provides for a written agreement by the award recipient to practice nursing for a period of no less than eighteen months or serve as nursing faculty for no less than three semesters. The legislation is specific as to the services and settings that will qualify for the award.

If the recipient fails to comply with the identified conditions the legislation provides a formula to determine an amount the recipient will be required to repay.

Recipients are required to report annually to New York State Higher Education Services Corporation regarding performance of the required services.

Section 261 authorizes the Commissioner of Health in collaboration with the Commissioner of Education to make grants to colleges, or universities within New York State to establish or expand training programs for registered professional nurses, clinical nurses specialists and nurse educators to increase the opportunities for nursing education at community-based sites.

The competitive grants will be awarded on the basis of criteria established in subdivision three. The extent of the program is to augment or increase training programs rather than offset existing expenditures.

Section 942 of the Executive Law is amended to add a new subdivision that creates an advisory committee to the council on professional career opportunity to assist the council in regard to nursing education.

Justification

The bill is a legislative proposal to promote access to nursing education within institutions of higher education in New York State. The bill provides funding to support public and private baccalaureate and graduate nursing education program. It provides funding to enhance the recruitment and retention of nursing students. Recent testimony by the New York State Nurses Association indicated that the demand for registered nurses will outstrip supply by as much as 20% by 2010. The average age of a registered nurse in New York is 47. The average age of nursing faculty is 55. The majority of nurses will retire in 10-15 years, creating a significant shortage unless steps are taken to successfully attract students into the profession and retain other nurses.

The legislation provides for a new scholarship program rather than loan forgiveness as more appropriate particularly for older nursing students who may have difficulty getting loans due to family obligations and outstanding debt.

Legislative history

2007-08, S.1525-A; 2005-06, S.1226; 2003-2004, S.2404; 2001-2002, S.3389.

Fiscal implications

$15,000 per year per student with an estimated 1,000 participants for the first year. $250,000 per institution with a target of at least 12 institutions participating. These figures will result in a $17 million program.

State budget dollars are needed immediately to increase supply of RNs However, efforts to expand educational slots and provide nursing scholarships need to have ongoing stable funding. Such funding should be included in the public goods component of HCRA. This legislation is modeled after primary care practitioner programs, PHL 905 and 906, previously funded through HCRA.

Effective date

Immediately.