Brief Description: Providing for a central resource center for the nursing work force.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care (originally sponsored by Senators Franklin, Kastama, Thibaudeau, Benson, Kline and McAuliffe).

Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care
House Committee on Health Care
House Committee on Appropriations

Background: In 2002, the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board convened a task force to examine the extent of the shortage of trained health care providers in Washington and to develop recommendations for increasing their numbers. The board's 2002 report to the Legislature noted that hospital registered nurse vacancy rates were 9.2 percent statewide in 2001 and that there is potential for more severe shortages as the population ages. According to a report by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Washington state is forecasted to experience a shortage of over 25,000 registered nurses by 2020. There are approximately 70,000 registered nurses in Washington.

Summary: The Nursing Resource Center Account is created. The account is funded through a $5 surcharge, authorized through June 30, 2013, to licenses for registered nurses and licensed practical nurses. The Department of Health (Department) must consult with the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board to use the funds to provide grants to a Central Nursing Resource Center that must be not-for-profit and that is comprised of and led by nurses. The Central Nursing Resource Center will demonstrate coordination with relevant nursing constituents and must have as its mission to contribute to the health and wellness of the residents of Washington by ensuring that there is an adequate nursing force.

The grants may be used to: (1) maintain information on the current and projected supply and demand of nurses; (2) monitor and validate trends in the nursing program applicant pool; (3) facilitate partnerships to promote diversity, career mobility, and leadership development within the nursing profession; (4) evaluate the effectiveness of nursing education; (5) provide technical assistance and information; (6) promote strategies to ensure a safe, healthy, and respectful workplace environment for nurses; and (7) educate the public about careers and opportunities in nursing.

The account is a nonappropriation account and the Secretary of Health may authorize expenditures. The Department may be compensated for the reasonable costs associated with the collection and distribution of the surcharge and the administration of the grants. The Department may also adopt rules to implement the account. The Central Nursing Resource Center may not use money from the account for administrative costs associated with activities not specifically delineated or for lobbying.

Grants will be awarded annually, with funds distributed quarterly. The first grant distribution must be within six months of the enactment of the law. The Central Nursing Resource Center must annually report to the Department on meeting the grant objectives.

The Central Nursing Resource Center must report all progress and activities conducted by the center to the relevant committees of the Legislature by November 30, 2011. The Department of Health is required to conduct a review of the program and make recommendations on the effectiveness of the program and whether it should continue. This review must be paid for with the funds from the nursing resource center account, and must be completed by June 30, 2012.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate      33   13
House      93   1   (House amended)
Senate      41   3   (Senate concurred)

Effective: July 24, 2005