|
In 2009, the Legislature appropriated $49.7 million to the Professional Nursing Shortage Reduction Fund. This allowed every nursing school in Texas to increase its enrollment and improve graduation rates to produce more Texas nurses. The fund holds schools accountable by giving up-front funding to schools with a graduation rate of 70 percent or higher. Other schools apply for their funding based on a plan to produce more graduates, with strong oversight by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The Senate’s budget proposal has reduced this appropriation to $36 million for 2012-13, while the House’s version of the budget includes an appropriation of $15 million.
Learn More
The Texas Nursing Workforce Shortage Coalition – a diverse partnership of health care organizations, business groups and education leaders working to address the nursing shortage in Texas – believes that Texas Legislature should continue funding nursing education to increase the number of RN graduates.
The coalition has materials that explain the current problem and describe the solution:
Other Resources
Visit these Web sites to learn more about the nursing shortage or health care careers in Texas: Texas Center for Nursing Workforce Studies
Part of the Texas Department of State Health Services, the Texas Center for Nursing Workforce Studies serves as a resource for data and research on the nursing workforce in Texas. This includes collecting and analyzing data on nurses in Texas regarding:
- Educational and employment trends;
- Supply and demand trends;
- Nursing workforce demographics; and
- Migration of nurses.
Texas H.O.T. Jobs
Produced by the Texas Area Health Education Centers Network, the Texas H.O.T. Jobs (Health Opportunities in Texas) guides and corresponding Web site help educate young people about opportunities in the health care workforce. Information about various jobs, required education and training, and programs at Texas schools is provided.
|
