Gov. Bush Signs Bills to Attract and Retain Nurses in the State

www.myflorida.com ^ | May 3, 2002 | State of FL

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Gov. Bush shares a smile with young patients in a FL hospital.

Gov. Bush Signs Bills to Attract and Retain Nurses in the State

~~Legislation also creates Center For Nursing Trust Fund~~

For Immediate Release
Friday, May 03, 2002

Contact:
Lisa Gates
(850) 488-5394

TALLAHASSEE -- Governor Jeb Bush today signed into law several bills to address Florida’s nursing shortage. These bills will attract nurses to move to the state, provide funding for retention and recruitment and encourage students to enter the nursing field.

House Bill 519, The Nursing Shortage Solution Act, streamlines the licensing process for nurses moving to Florida from other states and territories, encourages nurses to obtain advanced training and includes $1 million in matching grants to hospitals that offer funds for nurse retention and recruitment. The bill also promotes nursing careers by encouraging students to enter the nursing field. Finally, the bill updates the Nursing Loan Forgiveness and Scholarship programs to standardize and reduce high loan repayment penalties for a student who decides to change professions or defaults. The bill was sponsored by Representative Sandy Murman of Tampa and Senators Burt Saunders of Naples and Anna Cowin of Leesburg.

Senate Bill 1806, an act relating to the Center for Nursing Trust Fund, builds on last year’s creation of the Center for Nursing, by establishing a funding mechanism for the center. The Florida Center for Nursing Trust Fund is a repository for voluntary contributions by nurses renewing their licenses. The Legislature created the Florida Center for Nursing to developing a plan to alleviate Florida’s nursing shortage, and lay the ground-work for expanding the role of the nurses. The bill was sponsored by Senator Ron Silver of Miami and Representatives Carole Green of Ft. Myers and Mike Fasano of New Port Richey.

Senate Bill 1808, an act relating to the Center for Nursing Donation, allows Florida nurses to make a voluntarily contribution to the Florida Center for Nursing at the time they receive or renew their license. The Center was established with $100,000 in nonrecurring general revenue funds and an additional $100,000 in trust funds. This bill provides a permanent funding mechanism to help carry out center responsibilities. The bill was sponsored by Senator Ron Silver and Representatives Carole Green and Mike Fasano.

The Florida Hospital Association estimates that there are currently 9,000 vacant nursing positions in Florida, and there will be a need for 34,000 more nurses by 2006, reflecting an 18 percent vacancy rate.

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FYI.

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FYI. :)

[oldglory]

Thanks and a big BUMP! Am retired Florida RN--

Volunteering in Faith based clinics located within Orange Co.(no tax payer dollars--all private donations)

Many MD's ,RN's,LPNs, and support staff--all volunteering!

The shortage is acute nationwide--

Read latest issue of FORBES magazine---Doctors malpractice has gone through the roof---TORT REFORM needed badly!!!

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bttt. Thanks for sharing your comments! And, thanks for your work! :)

[watcher1]

Where? Many states have limits on pain & suffering. Like Wisconsin.

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Thanks for that info.

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FYI. :)

[mafree]

GO JEB!!

[MeekOneGOP]

Bush bump! :O)

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You two are really wonderful! :)

[RepubMommy]

RN from NJ here (and bump to Exit 148, a retired RN). Although I think it's great that Gov Bush is addressing the issue of the nursing shortage in his state, I don't like the idea of trying to take nurses from one state to another, as it will only create more of a hole in the first state. The shortage is nationwide, not limited only to Florida. While those of us that are in the field can reep the benefits of the shortage (ie, my hospital offers double time as an incentive to come to work for short staffing problems), I think most of us would really enjoy that extra pair of hands. I like the idea of targeting high school kids. It seems with all of the other more glamorous, high tech jobs available these days, nursing tends to get shunned or forgotten, when in reality it's very rewarding. We need to get more American students enrolled in the nursing schools. While I am thankful for the help, I am a minority on the night shift, as most of the nurses are of Asian decent. I don't have a problem with that, however the only time they ever speak English it seems, is when they are speaking to someone who doesn't understand their native tongue. I find this irritating, as do many of the patients. So for those FReepers with teens who are trying to find their way, do ask them how they feel about the possibility of going into nursing. Johnson & Johnson still has the website up from the Olympics, discovernursing.com.

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Thanks for your thoughtful comments, RepubMommy, and for all you do as a nurse. With respect to your initial concern, I think Gov. Bush is actually trying to help nurses who are already thinking about moving to FL -- and, there are people like that, as FL is such a fast growing state, soon to replace NY as the 3rd largest state in terms of population. So, I believe he is aware of all that moving going on anyway, and is trying to make it easier for nurses to move here. But, I agree with your other points, and, yes, there is a nationwide shortage of nurses. I am very glad our governor is aware of it and being pro-active in this matter. Thanks again for your post. :)

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For example, this new law is just plain smart:

The Nursing Shortage Solution Act, streamlines the licensing process for nurses moving to Florida from other states and territories,

All states should be doing that, for both nurses and teachers.