Published February 22, 2023 
Academic Nursing at the Table: Senate HELP Committee Holds First Hearing on Health Care Workforce
On February 16, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee held a hearing titled, “Examining Health Care Workforce Shortages: Where Do We Go From Here?” The hearing focused on finding bipartisan solutions to address the nursing shortage, the broader workforce shortage, and expand healthcare access to rural, urban, and underserved areas. Witnesses included Dr. Sarah Szanton, Dean of Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing; Dr. Douglas Staiger, Professor of Economics at Dartmouth College; and other health professional leaders. Dr. Szanton’s testimony concentrated on the current needs of nursing schools, such as having, “…enough faculty; adequate facilities; clinical settings in which to place nursing students for experience; and scholarships to offer.” She also highlighted solutions on how Congress can better support current and future nurses. HELP Committee Chairman, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), reiterated the importance of nurses as they are, “…genuine heroes and heroines, and we owe them more than we can ever pay back.” Ranking Member Bill Cassidy (R-LA) echoed this sentiment as nurses are “essential… It goes without saying.” To watch the full hearing, click here.
Deadlines Fast Approaching: Sign up for HRSA Grant Opportunities Today!
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has three upcoming grant opportunities, including one with a deadline of tomorrow, that directly relate to nursing workforce and education, including:
- Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program: Tomorrow, February 23, at 7:30 PM (ET), is the last day to apply for this program. The Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program helps cover up to 85% of nursing education debt for registered nurses, advanced practice registered nurses, and nurse faculty. In exchange, awardees must work in a critical shortage facility or at an accredited school of nursing for at least two years. A toolkit with shareable resources can be found here. Apply today!
- Advanced Nursing Education Nurse Practitioner Residency and Fellowship (ANE-NPRF) Program: For help with your application, join the ANE-NPRF pre-application technical assistance webinar on Wednesday March 8, from 2-3PM (ET) here. To learn more about the program and apply, click here.
- Advanced Nursing Education Workforce (ANEW) Program:
Just Announced! This program supports the education and graduation of advanced practice registered nursing (APRN) students and others. To learn more about the program, determine eligibility, and apply, click here.
HHS Releases the Public Health Emergency Transition Roadmap
On February 9, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) Transition Roadmap. This roadmap comes as the Biden Administration announced the end of the PHE on May 11, 2023. The roadmap covers policies and extensions that will and will not be affected as the PHE ends. COVID-19 will remain a public health priority as this transition takes place with the goal of improving the standards of care for patients. To view the roadmap, click here.
AACN’s 2023 Student Policy Summit: Register Students Before the March 3 Deadline
Don’t miss an opportunity to send students to AACN’s 2023 Student Policy Summit! With the registration deadline less than two weeks away, we encourage you to register your students today. This two-day conference, held on March 26-27, 2023, in Washington, DC offers program sessions focused on the federal policy process and nursing’s role in professional advocacy. Up to two baccalaureate and/or graduate nursing students from an AACN member institution may attend, and students must obtain permission from their dean. For more information and to register your students before the March 3 deadline, click here.