STATEHOUSE (Jan. 21, 2022) – The Indiana House of Representatives Thursday advanced legislation co-authored by State Rep. J. Michael Davisson (R-Salem) supporting Hoosier nurses and aimed at alleviating the state's severe nursing shortage.
Davisson 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.
The legislation would boost the health care workforce pipeline by providing flexibility to Indiana's nurses seeking licensure. The 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.
"Hoosier nurses have been stretched thin after nearly two years of serving on the frontlines of the pandemic, and our state’s nursing shortage is worsening," said Davisson, a member of the House Public Health Committee. "This legislation will help put the state back on track to meet future needs as well as deal with the demand we have right now."
Davisson said it 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 Senate for further consideration. To learn more, visit iga.in.gov.
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State Rep. J. Michael Davisson (R-Salem) represents House District 73, which includes
Washington County, and portions of Orange, Lawrence, Jackson, Clark and Harrison counties.
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