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The average age of RNs working in Texas as of September 2010 was 46 and the average age of faculty members at Texas nursing schools was 54. The Texas Center for Nursing Workforce Studies projects that 12.8 percent of RNs working today could retire now, and an additional 29.3 percent will retire in the next three to 12 years. Texas could lose more than 40 percent of its working nurses in the next 10 years! Educating a registered nurse takes two to four years. We must get nursing students into the education pipeline now.
Previous funding provided by the Texas Legislature has produced measurable results. Lawmakers should continue the commitment to increase the annual production of RN graduates to help close the supply/demand gap. Specifically, the Legislature should support funding in Article III of the state budget (Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board) for the Professional Nursing Shortage Reduction Fund and financial aid for nursing students. This funding will:
- Increase capacity. Nursing schools cite the lack of faculty as the biggest barrier to enrolling more students.
- Improve efficiency. State dollars should continue to be used to create incentives for nursing schools to admit and graduate more registered nursing students within a reasonable time.
- Hold schools accountable. The Texas Legislature has built accountability into these higher education funding allocations so that dollars actually produce more nursing graduates. Schools with records of producing year-over-year increases in the number of graduates or achieving high graduation rates should continue to be given upfront funding to build on their proven successes.
- Assist nursing students. Financial aid and other incentives should be available to nursing students to encourage enrollment and graduation.
The Legislature should affirm its commitment to institutions of higher education by restoring adequate support for the nursing.
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