{"id":22009,"date":"2025-04-15T18:55:24","date_gmt":"2025-04-15T22:55:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.merkley.senate.gov\/?p=22009"},"modified":"2025-04-15T18:55:26","modified_gmt":"2025-04-15T22:55:26","slug":"senators-blunt-rochester-tillis-merkley-and-cramer-introduce-the-bipartisan-national-nursing-workforce-center-act","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.merkley.senate.gov\/es\/senators-blunt-rochester-tillis-merkley-and-cramer-introduce-the-bipartisan-national-nursing-workforce-center-act\/","title":{"rendered":"Senators Blunt Rochester, Tillis, Merkley, and Cramer Introduce the Bipartisan National Nursing Workforce Center Act"},"content":{"rendered":"

Washington DC<\/strong> \u2013 U.S. Senators Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.)<\/strong> introdujo el Ley del Centro Nacional de la Fuerza Laboral de Enfermer\u00eda<\/em>. This bipartisan and bicameral legislation would help address nursing workforce shortages across our nation by supporting nursing workforce centers in almost every state. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the nation\u2019s largest healthcare profession, nurses play a vital role in improving health outcomes in virtually every community. However, the demand for nurses is greatly outpacing supply, and by 2027, the country will face a 10% shortage of registered nurses. Fewer practicing nurses can lead to delays in treatments or procedures, longer hospital stays and increased adverse patient events. It is now abundantly clear that improved federal and state coordination is needed to monitor nursing shortages, coordinate strategies to alleviate the pressures on the nursing workforce, and advise policymakers, health care leaders, and educators. This legislation aims to address the nursing workforce shortage by supporting the data, research, and training capabilities of nursing workforce centers both nationally and locally so that patients get the care they need.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cThe COVID-19 pandemic was the worst public health crisis we have ever encountered, and our nurses and health care workers were on the frontlines ensuring that we were safe. Now, it\u2019s time for us to show up for them.\u201d said Senator Blunt Rochester, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.<\/strong>\u201cStates like Delaware feel the impact of our nursing workforce shortage every day, and we can\u2019t afford to lose talented health care professionals. As one of my first pieces of legislation in the Senate, I\u2019m proud to fight for more our nurses, more jobs, and healthier communities.  I am grateful to Senators Tillis, Merkley, and Cramer for their partnership and look forward to working with our colleagues to pass this bill.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cNurses play a crucial role in providing accessible, high-quality care to Americans. Resolving existing nursing workforce challenges, the increased demand for health care services and the aging workforce requires innovative approaches that support and strengthen every aspect of the nursing workforce pipeline,\u201d dijo el senador Tillis.<\/strong> \u201cI\u2019m proud to co-introduce the bipartisan National Nursing Workforce Center Act<\/em> that will enhance collaboration and coordination, enabling state and local experts to identify and address unique challenges to increase the resiliency of the nursing workforce.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cAs the husband of a nurse, I know just how important nurses are to their patients, and how the care they provide can make a world of difference at some of the most difficult and joyous moments of people\u2019s lives,\u201d said Senator Merkley, Co-Chair of the Senate Nursing Caucus.<\/strong>  \u201cOur bipartisan effort establishes a national nursing workforce center to gather critical data. It will also support local nursing initiatives and workforce centers across the country\u2014like the one we have here in Oregon\u2014ensuring we take a local approach to the nursing workforce crisis America is facing.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cThe Delaware Nurses Association and Delaware Nurses Workforce Institute applaud the introduction of the National Nursing Workforce Center Act,\u201d said Christopher E. Otto, MSN, RN, CCRN, Executive Director of the Delaware Nurses Association.<\/strong> \u201cThis critical piece of federal legislation is critical to the continued success and growth of state nursing workforce centers. These centers are central to the continued growth and success of the nation\u2019s nursing workforce. When this legislation is signed, state nursing workforce centers will further their success and impact.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cAccess to care in American communities depends on having well-prepared, caring, and safety-centered nurses in every U.S. county, ensuring workforce stability and addressing the economic impact of healthcare,\u201d said the National Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers Board of Directors.<\/strong> \u201cStrengthening and investing in the nursing workforce is essential to safeguarding the health and safety of all Americans, regardless of where they live, and securing equitable access to care across both rural and urban areas.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The National Nursing Workforce Center Act <\/em>would do three things: <\/p>\n\n\n\n