Bill Overview
Title: Stop Nurse Shortages Act
Description: This bill includes the development of accelerated nursing programs to increase the number of graduating nurses (including graduates who are from disadvantaged backgrounds) as a priority area for certain grants made to institutions of higher education or other eligible entities for nurse education, practice, quality, and retention.
Sponsors: Rep. Stevens, Haley M. [D-MI-11]
Target Audience
Population: people benefiting from improved healthcare due to increased number of nurses
Estimated Size: 3000000
- The bill focuses on increasing the number of graduating nurses.
- It addresses potential barriers for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, which will broaden the range of applicants pursuing nursing careers.
- The bill aims to improve nurse education, practice, quality, and retention.
- As nurses are a critical part of the healthcare workforce, bolstering their numbers will impact the healthcare system as a whole.
Reasoning
- The policy is primarily focused on increasing the number of nurses through accelerated programs, which directly impacts students pursuing nursing careers or considering entering the field.
- Given the budget constraints, the immediate impact of the policy would likely be more evident among educational institutions and students rather than the general public.
- Improving retention and quality also indirectly benefits healthcare patients; however, the impact on patient wellbeing would become more apparent over time as more nurses enter the workforce.
- The influence on disadvantaged students suggests a potential social benefit, helping diverse individuals access nursing education and careers.
- Considering the large population of healthcare recipients and providers impacted by nurse shortages, the policy's effects will be broad but varying in intensity, with the most direct impact on nursing students.
Simulated Interviews
Nursing Student (New York, NY)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm excited that this policy could make it easier for me to become a nurse.
- Financial barriers have been my biggest challenge, and this support could really help.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Nurse (Chicago, IL)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope this policy will lead to less burnout with more staff around.
- Nursing is rewarding but can be overwhelming with the current shortages.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Hospital Administrator (Houston, TX)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy should help us manage staffing more effectively.
- We often struggle to find enough qualified nurses which affects planning.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
High School Senior (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 18 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This act could make nursing a viable career path for me.
- Access to accelerated programs means I can start working sooner.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Healthcare Policy Analyst (Miami, FL)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 12.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is a step towards resolving nurse shortages.
- It also promotes inclusiveness by supporting disadvantaged backgrounds.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Retired (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 65 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- More nurses could mean better quality healthcare and shorter wait times.
- I hope this policy also improves the personal touch in healthcare.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Nursing Educator (Columbus, OH)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 12.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm thrilled to see policies supporting nursing education.
- This could drastically improve our student outcomes and retention rates.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Healthcare Advocate (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 25 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Increasing the diversity in the nursing field will benefit minority communities.
- This act addresses crucial shortages and inequities in healthcare access.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Small Business Owner (Denver, CO)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could offer us more staffing options and improve service delivery.
- Our business relies heavily on skilled nurses to operate efficiently.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Software Engineer (Seattle, WA)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This seems like a pragmatic approach to a pressing issue.
- Efficient healthcare systems are essential for society's well-being.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $550000000)
Year 2: $520000000 (Low: $410000000, High: $570000000)
Year 3: $540000000 (Low: $420000000, High: $590000000)
Year 5: $560000000 (Low: $420000000, High: $600000000)
Year 10: $580000000 (Low: $430000000, High: $620000000)
Year 100: $650000000 (Low: $500000000, High: $700000000)
Key Considerations
- The bill aims to address both immediate and long-term nurse shortages.
- Education reforms must ensure quality is maintained while accelerating graduation.
- Attention must be given to equitable grant allocation to benefit institutions serving disadvantaged communities.