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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | February 23, 2022 12:24 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Michele Brooks |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Accelerated BSN for bachelor's degree students |
| We are in the midst of the greatest health care workforce shortage to date and action is required to incentivize and promote growth in this sector. The latest surge in COVID-19 cases has exacerbated long-standing forces driving nursing workforce shortfalls, prompting an all-hands-on-deck scramble to maintain patient care. The COVID-19 surge has intensified the ongoing crisis for the nursing workforce and has led to burnout for many nurses. As a result, many are quitting their jobs in substantial numbers all across the country, with 62% of hospitals reporting a nurse vacancy rate higher than 7.5%. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the healthcare sector has lost nearly half a million workers since February 2020. Approximately 22% of the remaining nurse workforce may leave their positions within the upcoming year. One study projects a significant shortfall of registered nurses by 2030. “The Great Resignation” has hit health care hard. Early retirements, job transfers out of hospitals and acute care facilities, and contract staffing agencies have all played a role in creating these staffing shortages. Additionally, Pennsylvania’s aging population requires more medical care as people are not only living longer but aging in place and avoiding acute care settings until their health is most severe. Meanwhile, faculty shortages at nursing schools severely limit the number of students they can admit. To address these challenges, we need flexibilities to invest in educational initiatives that will directly increase the number of new nurses into the workforce. My legislation would allocate funds from the federal American Rescue Plan to create an accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program for students who have already completed a bachelor’s degree in another field and want to pursue a nursing degree (BSN). The accelerated program would allow students to complete the BSN program in 12-18 months resulting in more nurses joining the workforce, more quickly. Please join me in sponsoring this important legislation. |