S. 2815Senate118th Congress (2023-2025)In Committee

Nurse Faculty Shortage Reduction Act of 2023

AI-Generated Summary

Updated January 20, 2026 at 11:23 AM UTC

The Nurse Faculty Shortage Reduction Act of 2023 creates a federal grant program to provide wage differentials for new nursing faculty at accredited nursing schools. By amending the Public Health Service Act, it lets the Secretary, through HRSA, award funds that supplement faculty salaries, helping schools recruit and keep qualified teachers. The program targets nursing schools and eligible faculty members who have recent clinical experience or are newly hired.

Key Provisions

The Secretary may sign agreements with accredited nursing schools to set up student loan funds and to award nurse faculty grants.
Grants are paid to schools to supplement the salaries of eligible faculty for up to three years, covering the gap between clinical nurse wages and faculty wages.
Eligibility requires schools to apply with salary history, vacancy data, and a plan to sustain salary levels after the grant ends; eligible faculty are those hired within two years, former clinical nurses, or part‑time teachers.
Grant awards are prioritized to schools with greatest need, those serving vulnerable populations, those recruiting under‑represented faculty, and certain public institutions offering mainly associate degrees.
All grant money must be used solely for salary supplementation, and schools must maintain the increased salary level each year.
The program is funded at $28.5 million per fiscal year from 2024 through 2028, and the Secretary must report on its impact after three years.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text: CR S4528-4529)

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

September 14, 2023

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

September 14, 2023

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text: CR S4528-4529)

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

September 14, 2023

Floor Debate

2 members

What members said about S. 2815 on the floor

2 Democrats

Sen. Alex PadillaD-CA · Sep 14, 2023

Madam President, I rise to introduce the Wounded Warrior Access Act, along with Senator Braun. This legislation would streamline the process for veterans to submit a claim for benefits by giving them…

Madam President, I rise to introduce the Wounded Warrior Access Act, along with Senator Braun.

This legislation would streamline the process for veterans to submit a claim for benefits by giving them electronic access to their benefit claim file.

This legislation would require the VA to establish and maintain a secure online tool or website to enable a veteran or their representative to submit a request to receive their claims file, or C- File, electronically.

Allowing veterans to access their C-File electronically would allow veterans to access their information in a faster and more efficient manner.

When a veteran submits a claim for benefits to the Department of Veterans Affairs, VA, a C-File is created. C-Files contain a veteran's service records, results of VA exams, additional information submitted by the veteran, and any material the VA deems necessary to decide a claim,

Currently, a veteran must travel to a regional VA location or mail in a form to request a paper copy of their C-File, slowing down the process for individuals to gain access to their information.

The Wounded Warrior Access Act would require the VA to offer an online alternative for veterans to request their C-File. Online requests would dramatically modernize the C-File collection, decrease processing time, and reduce unnecessary appeals since more veterans will have access to all the information the VA used to decide their claims, ultimately saving the VA time and money.

I look forward to working with my colleagues to enact the Wounded Warrior Access Act as quickly as possible, and I thank Congressman Pete Aguilar for his partnership on this legislation.

Madam President, I rise to speak in support of the Hispanic Educational Resources and Empowerment Act of 2023, which I reintroduced today. -

Hispanic-Serving Institutions, HSIs, provide incredible opportunities for millions of low-income and first-generation students. I am proud that my State of California is home to 170 HSIs and 47 emerging HSIs, the most in the country. That is why I launched the first-ever Senate HSI Caucus with my colleague, Senator Menendez--to spotlight and advocate for the 572 HSIs across our country. These critical institutions educate our future leaders and help to build a more diverse and inclusive workforce.

During the pandemic, the number of HSIs in our country declined for the first time in two decades due to a decrease in higher education enrollment among Latino students during the pandemic. While the number of HSIs has since increased above prepandemic levels, this previous decrease illustrates the need for further investments in Latino youth. That is why I am reintroducing the HERE Act.

If enacted, this bill would support Latino students throughout secondary and postsecondary education. Specifically, the HERE Act would provide $150 million for grants to create partnerships between HSIs and K-12 school districts that serve large populations of Latino students.

Schools could use this funding to provide academic support that better prepares students for postsecondary education. They could create new programs to foster a college-going culture by exposing students and their families to postsecondary opportunities. And they could better support students through the college application and transition process. Additionally, schools could use grants to address non-academic needs that serve as barriers to college enrollment and completion--such as childcare, food insecurity, financial hardship, and more.

Latinos are the largest, youngest, and second fastest growing minority population in the United States. While making up about 20 percent of our country's population, Latinos comprise 26 percent of prekindergarten through grade 12 enrollment. Latino students are going to college more than ever before, but they still face lower educational outcomes, including lower grades, lower scores on standardized tests, and higher dropout rates.

As a Senator representing one of the most diverse States in the country, I am proud to work with my colleagues to ensure the American dream is a reality for every student.

I want to thank Congressman Joaquin Castro for introducing this bill with me, and I hope our colleagues will join us in support of this effort to empower Latino youth.

Sen. Richard J. DurbinD-IL · Sep 14, 2023

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued September 14, 2023

118th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 2815

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

September 14, 2023

Mr. Durbin (for himself and Ms. Murkowski) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

A BILL

To provide for a wage differential program to support new nursing school faculty members.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Nurse Faculty Shortage Reduction Act of 2023.

Nurse faculty grant program

Section 846A of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 296n–1) is amended—

(1)

in the section heading, by adding and nursing faculty grant program after loan program;

(2)

by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

(a)

In general

To increase the number of qualified nursing faculty, the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, may—

(1)

enter into an agreement with any accredited school of nursing for the establishment and operation of a student loan fund in accordance with subsection (b); and

(2)

award nurse faculty grants in accordance with subsection (c).

;

(3)

in subsection (b)—

(A)

by redesignating clauses (A) through (D) of paragraph (2) as clauses (i) through (iv), respectively, and adjusting the margins accordingly;

(B)

by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (5) as subparagraphs (A) through (E), respectively, and adjusting the margins accordingly;

(C)

in subparagraph (C), by striking subsection (c) and inserting paragraph (2); and

(D)

by striking (b) Agreements—Each agreement entered into under subsection (a) shall— and inserting the following:

(b)

School of nursing student loan fund

(1)

In general

Each agreement entered into under subsection (a)(1) shall—

;

(4)

in subsection (c)—

(A)

by striking subsection (a) each place it appears and inserting subsection (a)(1);

(B)

in paragraph (3), by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively, and adjusting the margins accordingly;

(C)

in paragraph (6), by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively, and adjusting the margins accordingly; and

(D)

by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (6) as subparagraphs (A) through (F), respectively, and adjusting the margins accordingly; and

(E)

in subparagraph (F)(ii), as so redesignated, by striking subsection (e) and inserting paragraph (4);

(5)

in subsection (e), by striking subsection (c)(6)(B) and inserting paragraph (2)(F)(ii);

(6)

by redesignating subsections (c) through (e) as paragraphs (2) through (4), respectively, and adjusting the margins accordingly; and

(7)

by adding at the end the following:

(c)

Nurse faculty grant program

(1)

In general

The Secretary shall establish and carry out a program described in subsection (a)(2) under which eligible schools of nursing receive a grant for purposes of supplementing the salaries to enhance recruitment and retention of nursing faculty members.

(2)

Eligible entities

To be eligible to receive a grant under this subsection, an entity shall—

(A)

be a school of nursing; and

(B)

submit an application to the Secretary, at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including—

(i)

(I)

to the extent such information is available to the school of nursing, the salary history of nursing faculty at such school who previously were nurses in clinical practice, for the most recent 3-year period ending on the date of application, adjusted for inflation as appropriate and broken down by credentials, experience, and levels of education of such nurses; or

(II)

if the information described in subclause (I) is not available, information on the average local salary of nurses in clinical practice, adjusted for inflation as appropriate and broken down by credentials, experience, and levels of education of the individual nurses, in accordance with such requirements as the Secretary may specify;

(ii)

an attestation of the average nursing faculty salary at the school of nursing during the most recent 3-year period prior to the date of application, adjusted for inflation, as appropriate, broken down by credentials, experience, and levels of education of such faculty members;

(iii)

the number of nursing faculty member vacancies at the entity at the time of application, and the entity’s projection of such vacancies over the ensuing 5-year period; and

(iv)

a description of the entity's plans to identify funding sources to sustainably continue, after the 3-year grant period, the salary available to the eligible nursing faculty member pursuant to the program under this subsection during such grant program and to retain eligible nursing faculty members after the end of the grant period.

(3)

Awards

A grant awarded under this subsection, with respect to supporting eligible nursing faculty members, shall—

(A)

be awarded to the school of nursing to supplement the salaries of eligible faculty members at the school of nursing, annually, for up to a 3-year period, in an amount equal to, for each eligible nursing faculty member at the eligible entity during the grant period, the difference between—

(i)

the average salary of nurses in clinical practice submitted under subclause (I) or (II) of paragraph (2)(B)(i); and

(ii)

the greater of—

(I)

the salary for the eligible nursing faculty member at the school of nursing; or

(II)

the average nursing faculty salary submitted under paragraph (2)(B)(ii) for faculty members with the same or similar credentials and level of education;

(B)

notwithstanding section 803(a), be used in its entirety to supplement the eligible faculty member's salary; and

(C)

be conditioned upon the school of nursing maintaining, for each year in which the award is made as described in subparagraph (A), a salary for such faculty member at a level that is not less than the greater of the amount under subclause (I) or (II) of subparagraph (A)(ii).

(4)

Priority

In awarding grants under this subsection, the Secretary shall ensure the equitable geographic distribution of awards, and shall give priority to applications from schools of nursing that demonstrate—

(A)

the greatest need for such grant, which may be based upon the financial circumstances of the school of nursing, eligible nurse faculty members, the planned number of students to be trained or admitted off a wait list;

(B)

training or partnerships to serve vulnerable patient populations, such as through the location or activity of a school in a health professional shortage area;

(C)

recruitment and retention of faculty from underrepresented populations; or

(D)

other particular need for such grant, including public institutions of higher education that offer 4-year degrees but at which the predominant degree awarded is an associate degree.

(5)

Rule of construction

Nothing in this subsection precludes a school of nursing or an eligible nursing faculty member receiving an award under this section from obtaining or receiving any other form of Federal support or funding.

(6)

Report

Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of the Nurse Faculty Shortage Reduction Act of 2023, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Finance and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, a report that evaluates the program established under this subsection, including—

(A)

the impact of such program on recruitment and retention rates of nursing faculty, as available, and specifically for each faculty member participating in the program; and

(B)

recommendations and considerations for Congress on continuing the program under this section through the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act.

(7)

Definitions

In this subsection:

(A)

Eligible nursing faculty member

The term eligible nursing faculty member means a nursing faculty member who—

(i)

was hired by a school of nursing within the 2-year period preceding the submission of an application under paragraph (2), or a prospective nursing faculty member;

(ii)

is currently employed at the school of nursing and who demonstrates the need for such support;

(iii)

previously worked as a nurse in clinical practice or as a nurse faculty member at another school of nursing; or

(iv)

may work on a part-time basis as a nursing faculty member, for whom such award amounts described in paragraph (3) shall be prorated relative to the amount of time participating in part-time teaching.

(B)

Inflation

The term inflation means the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers (all items; U.S. city average).

(8)

Authorization of appropriations

To carry out this subsection, there is authorized to be appropriated $28,500,000 for each of fiscal year 2024 through 2028.