Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2019

Bill summary

• Seeks to amend title VIII of the Public Health Service Act (Govtrack, 2019).
• To extend grants to advanced education in nursing.
• To support clinical nurse specialist programs.
• Awarded funds to supplement non-federal funds.

Bill Summary: Continuation

• Only authorized clinical nurse specialist programs to be considered.
• RNs will receive full-time clinical nurse specialist education.
• To support nurse education, quality, practice, and retention grants.
• Underserved rural areas will benefit from improved nursing practice.

Bill Specifics

• $77,585,000 to be allocated for this program per annum from 2020-2024.
• RN/Masters will be replaced with RN/graduate.
• Grants for career ladder programs to be introduced.
• Reauthorization of Nursing Workforce Development Programs.

Professional nursing practice standards of the bill, if passed

• Nurses will access funding to further their studies.
• More qualified nurses will be available to practice.
• Improved quality of care services by nurses.
• Underserved communities will receive adequate nursing care.

Professional nursing practice standards of the bill, if not passed

• Shortage of advanced clinical nurses.
• The quality of nursing services delivered will be poor.
• Different communities will continue to be underserved.
• Nurse turnover will increase.

Impact on my own nursing practice

• The opportunity to advance my nursing career.
• The opportunity to serve underserved communities.
• With grants, I can undertake clinical research to advance the practice.
• I will focus on my studies, not worrying about tuition fees.

Communicating my concerns about or support for this bill based on nursing practice

• Call the legislator to affirm my support.
• Write to my local representative to support the bill.
• Write to the House of Representatives to support the bill.
• Appear before the House to defend the bill.

Communicating my concerns about or support for this bill based on nursing standards

• Engage my peers on the matters surrounding the bill.
• Discuss the bill on social media platforms.
• Intern at the office of one of the legislators.
• Write newsletters to discuss the bill.

Communicating my concerns about or support for this bill based on patient outcomes

• Collect evidence-based data on the benefits of the bill.
• Educate patients on the need to have grants for nurses.
• Discuss the bill with patients’ family members.
• Conduct in-depth research on the issue.

Impact on my community

• Patients will benefit from the services of an advanced nurse clinician.
• There will be enough nurses cater to patient needs.
• Underserved communities will get enough nursing workforce.
• Quality of life will improve generally.

Reference

Govtrack. (2019). H.R. 728: Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2019. Web.