Legislation signed by Gov. Doug Ducey last week allocates funds to help Arizona’s students get through nursing school.
PHOENIX — Editor’s Note: The video above is from an earlier broadcast.
Gov. Doug Ducey has signed legislation that allocates resources to address Arizona’s health care staffing shortages.
House Bill 2691 allocates up to $15 million during the current fiscal year toward establishing the Nurse Education Investment Pilot Program, which provides funding for nursing programs at public universities and community colleges.
The pilot program specifically aims to increase the number of nursing faculty at local colleges.
Arizona’s lack of health care workers has become exacerbated in recent years as local hospitals have grappled with maintaining regular operations amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
State Rep. Joanne Osborne, R-Goodyear, sponsored the legislation and said it’s necessary to address the many vacancies for registered nurses seen throughout the state.
“We are struggling in Arizona and need to take major steps in filling our …