Nurse Faculty Shortage Reduction Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Bonamici
Introduced
Summary
Wage-differential grants to recruit and retain nursing faculty. This bill would create a School of Nursing Student Loan Fund and a Nurse Faculty Demonstration Program that tops up faculty pay so academic salaries are closer to clinical salaries and schools can hire and keep more educators.
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- Nursing faculty: Eligible faculty could receive salary supplements for up to 3 years that cover the gap between average clinical nurse pay and either their current pay or the average faculty pay for their credential level. Awards are prorated for part-time hires and available to recent hires and prospective faculty.
- Schools of nursing: Schools can get grants and set up loan funds to recruit faculty and must maintain the supplemented salary each year. Applications are prioritized for schools with financial need, vacancies or wait lists, and partnerships serving vulnerable populations.
- Underserved communities: Grants must consider geographic equity and prioritize proposals that serve health professional shortage areas, which could expand training capacity where clinicians are scarce.
*Authorizes $15.0 million per year for FY2027–2031, totaling $75.0 million in authorized spending and would increase federal outlays if fully appropriated.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Higher pay for nursing faculty
If enacted, the bill would create a Nurse Faculty Demonstration Program to help nursing schools raise faculty pay. The Secretary would award grants to accredited schools to supplement eligible faculty salaries for up to 3 years. Each annual award would equal the difference between the school's reported average clinical nurse salary and the higher of the faculty member's current salary or the average faculty salary for similar credentials, prorated for part-time work. Grant money must be used only to raise the faculty member's salary and schools must keep that salary level while the award is made. The program would be funded at $15 million per year for FY2027–FY2031, prioritize schools with greatest need and those serving vulnerable areas, and require a report to Congress within 3 years evaluating recruitment and retention.
Nursing school student loan funds
If enacted, the bill would let the Secretary enter agreements with accredited nursing schools to set up and run student loan funds. Participating schools could provide loans to nursing students under these school-run funds. This authority would begin on enactment but the bill does not set a specific dollar authorization or detailed loan terms. If your school participates, you would be able to apply for loans from that fund.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Bonamici
OR • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Joyce, David P. [R-OH-14]
OH • R
Sponsored 1/30/2026
Rep. Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14]
IL • D
Sponsored 1/30/2026
Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]
VA • R
Sponsored 1/30/2026
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
PA • R
Sponsored 4/2/2026
Barragan
CA • D
Sponsored 4/14/2026
Rep. Meuser, Daniel [R-PA-9]
PA • R
Sponsored 5/12/2026
Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3]
KS • D
Sponsored 5/12/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov