Nurse Faculty Shortage Reduction Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Bonamici
Introduced
Summary
This bill would tackle the shortfall of nursing instructors by funding pay boosts and loans to make faculty jobs competitive and keep nursing programs open. It would create a Nurse Faculty Demonstration Program and a School of Nursing Student Loan Fund and authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to enter agreements with accredited schools to run them.
Show full summary
- Nursing faculty and recruits: Eligible schools could win grants that give annual salary supplements for up to three years. Supplements are set to close the gap between clinical practice pay and faculty pay and must be used only for salary.
- Schools of nursing: Schools must apply with three-year salary histories, vacancy counts, a five-year faculty projection, and a plan to sustain salary increases after the grant period. The program also allows schools to establish student loan funds through agreements with HHS.
- Students, patients, and communities: By helping schools recruit and retain faculty, the bill aims to expand training capacity, reduce admission wait lists, and prioritize support for underserved areas and underrepresented faculty.
*Authorizes $15.0 million per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to carry out the demonstration and student loan fund.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
New student loan funds for nursing
If enacted, the Secretary would be able to make agreements with accredited nursing schools to create school-run student loan funds. Students at participating schools would be able to get loans from those funds. The bill does not set loan terms or funding amounts in this provision.
Pay boosts for nursing faculty
If enacted, nursing faculty would be able to receive yearly pay supplements for up to three years. The award for each eligible faculty would equal the school-reported average clinical nurse salary minus the higher of (A) the faculty member's current school pay or (B) the school's reported average nursing faculty pay for similar credentials. Part-time awards would be prorated by full-time equivalency. Grants must be used only to raise faculty pay, schools must submit three-year salary histories and a plan to sustain the higher pay, and awards would be prioritized for schools in shortage areas or serving vulnerable populations. The program would be authorized at $15 million per year for FY2027–FY2031.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Bonamici
OR • D
Cosponsors
Joyce (OH)
OH • R
Sponsored 1/30/2026
Underwood
IL • D
Sponsored 1/30/2026
Kiggans (VA)
VA • R
Sponsored 1/30/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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