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119-s-1482119th CongressWALLET

National Nursing Workforce Center Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Senator Blunt Rochester, Lisa [D-DE]

In Committee

Summary

State-based nursing workforce centers would be created and funded to improve data collection, boost nursing education capacity, and strengthen recruitment and retention. The bill would also expand federal analysis and technical-assistance on nursing workforce trends and coordination with those centers.

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  • Nurses and nursing students would see more support for faculty retention, expanded enrollment capacity, leadership development, career counseling, and programs aimed at improving recruitment and retention.
  • State agencies, boards of nursing, nursing schools, community groups, and nonprofits could compete for two-year pilot grants. Grantees would need to provide at least $1 of non-Federal support for every $4 of Federal funding and awards would be distributed equitably across regions.
  • Patients, employers, and rural or underserved communities would benefit from better statewide analyses, strategic workforce planning, and targeted actions to address specialty and geographic nursing shortages.

*Would authorize up to $1.5 million for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to run the pilot, increasing federal spending by up to $3.0 million.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Broaden federal nursing workforce research

If enacted, the bill would broaden federal authority to fund and share nursing workforce studies and technical assistance by changing a statutory phrase to cover more programs. It would let grants and contracts produce regional and national reports, peer-reviewed articles, policy briefs, program evaluations, and rapid short-term research. At least one grant or contract could go to an organization that demonstrates a mission to support the nursing workforce and experience with State centers and workforce data. This change would expand research and tools available to states and employers but would not directly send money to households.

Pilot State nursing workforce centers

If enacted, the bill would fund a two-year pilot to create or strengthen State nursing workforce centers. The Secretary would have to start the pilot within one year of enactment and award two-year grants. Up to $1.5 million could be used in each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from HRSA workforce funds. Eligible applicants would include State agencies, State nursing boards, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, community groups, and schools of nursing. Grants would require at least $1 in non-Federal match for every $4 of Federal funds (a 25% match), be distributed across U.S. regions, and give priority to statewide centers with stakeholder partnerships. Funds would pay for statewide workforce data and gap analyses, nursing education capacity studies, scholarships and student aid programs, faculty recruitment and retention, recruitment and retention initiatives, employer workforce planning, technical assistance, and a public repository of tools. The Secretary would report to Congress within one year after the first grant award and annually thereafter.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Blunt Rochester, Lisa [D-DE]

DE • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 4/10/2025

  • Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 4/10/2025

  • Sen. Cramer, Kevin [R-ND]

    ND • R

    Sponsored 4/10/2025

  • Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]

    DE • D

    Sponsored 4/21/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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