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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fourth Legislature, Second Regular Session
AMENDED
nursing shortage; plan; pilot program
Purpose
Creates the Nursing Workforce Preparation and Shortage Work Group (Nursing Work Group) and outlines membership and duties.
Background
Among its duties, the Arizona State Board of Nursing (Board of Nursing) is responsible for approving regulated training and educational programs, maintaining a list of approved nursing programs to prepare eligible registered and practical nurses for licensing, and collecting or assisting in the collection of workforce data (A.R.S. § 32-1606). Currently, there are 94,221 registered nurses (RNs) and 10,538 licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in Arizona (Arizona State Board of Nursing).
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, by 2025 Arizona is expected to have 28,100 fewer RNs than needed in addition to a shortfall of 9,590 LPNs.
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Establishes the Nursing Work Group in the Arizona Department of Health Services (DHS) to address Arizona's nursing workforce preparation and shortage, consisting of:
a) the DHS Director or their designee;
b) the Executive Director of the Board of Nursing or their designee;
c) three members representing each of the three state universities appointed by the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR);
d) the following members appointed by the Board of Nursing:
i. three members representing any community college district with a nursing program;
ii. two members representing private postsecondary institutions with a nursing program; and
iii. two members representing professional nursing organizations;
e) the following members appointed by the DHS Director:
i. one member representing a rural health care facility employer;
ii. one member representing an urban health care facility employer with less than 300 beds;
iii. one member representing an urban health care facility employer with at least 300 beds;
iv. one member representing an Indian health service unit located in a county with less than 300,000 persons; and
v. one member representing a nonprofit organization, providing research and education about Arizona's health care workforce.
2. Requires the Nursing Work Group to:
a) review nursing education curriculum and potential changes, including the benefits of nurse residency programs, to facilitate and improve the transition from education to practice;
b) establish a long-term plan and pilot program addressing Arizona's nursing workforce preparation and shortage; and
c) prepare recommendations for curriculum changes and the feasibility of a nurse residency pilot program.
3. Directs, by June 30, 2021, the Nursing Work Group to report its recommendations to the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, ABOR and the Joint Legislative Budget Committee with a copy provided to the Secretary of State.
4. Repeals the Nursing Work Group on January 1, 2023.
5. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by Committee
1. Adds one member to the Work Group representing any community college district with a nursing program.
2. Adds one member to the Work Group representing an Indian health service unit.
Senate Action
HEWD 2/3/20 DPA 7-0-0
Prepared by Senate Research
February 5, 2020
JO/gs