STATEHOUSE (May 10, 2022) – National Nurses Week is May 6-12, and Vigo County lawmakers 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 supported by State Reps. Bob Heaton (R-Terre Haute), Alan Morrison (R-Brazil) and Bruce Borders (R-Jasonville) will boost the health care workforce pipeline by providing flexibility to Indiana's nurses seeking licensure. Heaton 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.
"Nurses have a critical role in our health care industry," Heaton said. "With predictions of a worsening nursing shortfall, it was a priority to streamline the training and licensing requirements so Hoosiers can more quickly fill these jobs."
With the new law already in effect, Morrison said 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.
"This new law will help students get the training they need and become nurses more quickly without sacrificing our standards," Morrison said. "The need for nurses is high, and we want qualified Hoosiers to pursue this profession."
Borders 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.
"Nurses have proven, especially in recent years, just how essential they are," Borders said. "This new law reflects our commitment to ensuring that those who want this job don't face unnecessary obstacles in their training and licensing."
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.
-30-
State Rep. Bob Heaton (R-Terre Haute) represents House District 46,
which includes portions of Clay, Monroe, Owen and Vigo counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Alan Morrison (R-Brazil) represents House District 42,
which includes all of Vermillion County and portions of Clay,
Fountain, Parke, Vigo and Warren counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Bruce Borders (R-Jasonville) represents House District 45,
which includes all of Sullivan County and portions of
Vigo, Greene, Knox and Daviess counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
