Nurse Faculty Shortage Reduction Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Senator Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would create a Nurse Faculty Demonstration Program that directs wage supplements for nursing faculty to close the pay gap with clinical nurses. It would also establish a School of Nursing Student Loan Fund and target grants to areas of greatest need and to underrepresented faculty.
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- Nursing faculty: Eligible faculty could receive an annual salary supplement for up to 3 years equal to the difference between average clinical nurse pay and their faculty pay. Part-time hires are prorated and recent hires or prospective faculty may qualify.
- Schools of nursing: Schools must apply with recent salary history, vacancy projections, and a plan to sustain supplements after the grant. Grants prioritize geographic equity, financial hardship, the number of students affected or wait lists, serving vulnerable patient populations, and recruiting underrepresented faculty.
- Students and patients: By raising faculty pay and retention, the program aims to expand training capacity and reduce wait lists for nursing programs, with emphasis on areas serving vulnerable populations.
*This bill would authorize $15.0 million per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 for the demonstration program, increasing federal spending in those years.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Higher pay for nurse faculty
If enacted, the bill would create a Nurse Faculty Demonstration Program giving grants to accredited nursing schools. Grants would be paid yearly for up to three years and must be used only to supplement eligible nursing faculty pay. Each individual supplement would equal the school's reported average clinical nurse pay minus the higher of that faculty member's current pay or the school's reported average faculty pay for similar credentials. Part-time faculty would get a prorated amount. Schools would have to provide salary histories, vacancy counts and five-year projections, and plans to keep salaries after grant years. The program would be authorized at $15 million per year for FY2027 through FY2031. The Secretary would report to Congress within three years on the program's effect on recruiting and keeping faculty.
Student loan funds for nurses
If enacted, the bill would authorize the Secretary to make agreements with accredited nursing schools to set up a School of Nursing Student Loan Fund. The authority would let the Secretary and participating schools operate loan funds aimed at increasing the number of qualified nursing faculty. The statute excerpt does not set loan amounts, repayment rules, or borrower eligibility, so direct household effects would only apply if your school has an agreement.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
IL • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
AK • R
Sponsored 1/27/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov