STATEHOUSE (May 10, 2022) – National Nurses Week is May 6-12, and State Reps. Donna Schaibley (R-Carmel) and Jeff Thompson (R-Lizton) supported a new law to help Indiana's health care heroes and alleviate the nursing shortage.
With 4,300 nursing job openings statewide, the new law will boost the health care workforce pipeline by providing flexibility to Indiana's nurses seeking licensure. Schaibley said in addition to current job openings, the state will need 5,000 additional nurses by 2031, and nursing programs need to increase their graduating classes by 1,350 each year to meet this need. The new law offers 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 need for more nurses continues to be felt not only in our hospitals, but also in doctor's offices, schools and long-term care facilities," Schaibley said. "This new law is a strong step toward ensuring there are enough qualified individuals who are ready to join the nursing field now and into the future."
With the new law already in effect, nursing programs will be able to increase enrollment at faster rates and accept more clinical simulation hours, all while maintaining high-quality training for all nursing students. Thompson said the new law offers nursing students and registered nurses more freedom to grow and join the workforce, which is especially important as pandemic-related protocols prolonged the process for many nursing students seeking licensure.
"With predictions of a prolonged nursing shortage, it's imperative that the state makes the process for training and licensing new nurses as seamless as possible," Thompson said. "We welcome more Hoosiers to take on this essential role in our health care system."
Supporters of the law include hospital systems, nursing schools, long-term care facilities, the Indiana Nurses Association, Indiana Hospital Association and Indiana Health Care Association.
To learn more about HEA 1003, visit iga.in.gov.
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State Rep. Donna Schaibley (R-Carmel) represents House District 24,
which includes portions of Boone and Hamilton counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Jeff Thompson (R-Lizton) represents House District 28,
which includes portions of Hendricks and Boone counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
