STATEHOUSE (Jan. 21, 2022) – The Indiana House of Representatives today advanced legislation supporting Hoosier nurses and aimed at alleviating the state's severe nursing shortage, according to State Reps. Julie Olthoff (R-Crown Point) and Hal Slager (R-Schererville).
Olthoff 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.
"Nurses help Hoosiers every day and our health care system depends on them," said Olthoff, vice chair of the House Public Health Committee. "We need more nurses throughout our state, and this legislation will help in that effort. The nursing shortage is a global problem, and here in Indiana, we are ready to take on the challenge of making sure we have enough nurses to meet the need."
The legislation, supported by Olthoff and Slager, 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.
"Even before the pandemic, we needed more nurses," Slager said. "Then the pandemic hit, further signifying how important it is for us to build up our nursing workforce."
Slager said the 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 the bill would give nursing students and registered nurses more freedom to grow and join the workforce.
The legislation 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. Julie Olthoff (R-Crown Point) represents House District 19,
which includes a portion of Lake and Porter counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Hal Slager (R-Schererville) represents House District 15,
which includes portions of Lake County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
