STATEHOUSE (Jan. 14, 2022) – The House Committee on Public Health unanimously approved State Rep. Ethan Manning's (R-Logansport) legislation supporting Hoosier nurses and aimed at alleviating the state's severe nursing shortage.
Manning said, by 2031, Indiana will need 5,000 additional nurses and nursing programs will need to increase their graduating classes by 1,350 each year to meet this need. This is in addition to the current 4,300 nursing job openings statewide.
He said his legislation would boost the health care workforce pipeline by providing flexibility to Indiana's nurses seeking licensure. His legislation would also give flexibility to nursing programs and nurse educators to help meet workforce needs, and help nursing students working to obtain the required hours to be licensed.
"The pandemic shined a bright light on the invaluable role nurses play every day, and we know Hoosiers' health depends on them," Manning said. "From our hospital emergency rooms and local doctor's offices to our schools and long-term care facilities, nurses deliver care to all those in need. The pandemic worsened the nursing shortage and this legislation would help open up this critical talent pipeline to help fill the thousands of open positions now and in the coming years"
Manning said his bill would allow nursing programs to increase enrollment at faster rates, accept clinical simulation hours, and reduce the required amount of experience needed for a registered nurse to become a nursing instructor, all while maintaining high quality training for all nursing students.
He said pandemic-related protocols prolonged the process for many nursing students seeking licensure and his bill would give nursing students and registered nurses more freedom to grow and join the workforce.
The bill shares broad support from hospital systems, nursing schools, long-term care facilities, the Indiana Nurses Association, Indiana Hospital Association and Indiana Health Care Association.
House Bill 1003 now moves to the full House of Representatives for consideration. To learn more, visit iga.in.gov.
-30-
State Rep. Ethan Manning (R-Logansport) represents House District 23,
which includes portions of Cass, Fulton and Miami counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
