Harrisburg, PA – The Shapiro administration highlights its efforts to recruit and keep more nurses in Pennsylvania today as part of the National Day of Students. Health departments,, Work and industryAnd Social services The leaders visited Hacc, the community center of the Pennsylvania center, to promote Governor Shapiro’s proposed budget This includes funding to strengthen nursing labor through assistance in tuition fees, reimbursement of loans and apprenticeship opportunities.
“The nurses are the backbone of our health care system,” said Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen. “It is important that we celebrate the important role of the Pennsylvania institutions on higher education game in the preparation of the next generation of nurses for this rewarding career. Governor Shapiro’s budget proposal offers incentives for recruitment and detention that would support more nurses entering the field. ”
Pennsylvania faces a nursing shortage. According to a Pennsylvania health health and health association (HAP) investigationPennsylvania hospitals said 14% of nursing care stations are not filled, leaving the existing nurses stretched and working longer hours. The situation should worsen, the state is expected to face a shortage of 20,000 nurses by 2026.
Offering incentives to nurses has proven a successful strategy to recruit and keep high quality practitioners. THE Department of Health Primary care loans reimbursement program Completed this by financially helping 219 health professionals – doctors, nurses, dentists, nurses and other health care providers in the Commonwealth – in the last two years. Seventy-eight of these health professionals are currently working as nurses.
The Governor’s budget proposal makes targeted investments to further extend health care staff, including nurses, ensuring that communities have access to high -quality health care. The budget proposal includes $ 5 million To extend the reimbursement program for primary care loans.
The Governor’s budgetary proposal also includes an investment in the foreground of the State of $ 5 million To create the Nursing assistance programWho will finance the organizations that combine hospitals and nursing schools to cover student loan costs for nursing students who are committed to a three -year internship in Pennsylvania hospitals after obtaining the diploma. This initiative will build a pipeline of trained nursing professionals, will strengthen retention, limiting turnover and will help maintain a skilled health care workforce which offers high quality care in the Commonwealth.
“The administration of Shapiro is determined to support the nurses of tomorrow, as well as the leaders of education guiding them throughout their trip, and we know that the new proposed program of the Governor will play a key role in the strengthening of Secretary L & I NANCY A. WALKER. “With this proposed investment and the work in progress at L & I to extend the apprenticeship opportunities for nursing and health care, we take the necessary measures to build solid nursing pipelines, so that the Pennsylvanians of each community of our Commonwealth can have access to quality health care they deserve.”
The creation of a pipeline of future nurses to fill the current and future vacuum in the profession begins in nursing schools in Pennsylvania.
“As an authorized infirmarian, I am proud to recognize the next generation of nursing students who will soon work in our communities and will take care of our friends, neighbors, close and even for many of us,” said Dhs Deputy Secretary of Medical Assistance Programs Sally Kozak. “Nurses are an essential element of our health care infrastructure, and these careers allow people to make incredibly positive impacts on the life of people they care while providing an invaluable experience on which they can rely thanks to their practice or in careers in public health and public policies. Shapiro administration is determined to strengthen our health care systems and other health professionals.
“As the largest nursing training supplier in the Pennsylvania Commonwealth, the HACC community is proud to highlight Governor Shapiro’s commitment to increase the Pennsylvania nurse workforce,” said President of HACC, Dr John J. Ski ‘Sygielski. “We are doing an incredible job by preparing the next generation of nurses thanks to practical training, cutting -edge simulation laboratories and a deep commitment to student success. We build a strong and compassionate workforce for health care for the Pennsylvania. ”
Governor Shapiro 2025-26 The proposed budget also invests in the workforce of health care in Pennsylvania by approaching critical shortages and by expanding access to care, in particular:
- $ 5 million to extend the reimbursement program for primary care loans to Pennsylvania Health DepartmentOffering a loan refund to doctors, nurses, dentists and psychologists who undertake to work in the shortage of health professionals designated as rural communities.
- 10 million dollars To extend the reimbursement programs for behavioral health loans, make sure that providers are available across the state – including in rural communities – to meet the growing demand for mental health care and respond to a critical labor shortage.
- $ 5 million To educate, train and recruit nursing professionals thanks to a reimbursement of loans, ensuring a constant pipeline of highly qualified professionals in the hospitals of Pennsylvania.
- Legislation to grant Complete practice authority to nurses who work under a doctor for three years, increasing access to care in poorly served communities.
- Improvement of postpartum depression screening And intervention efforts to ensure fair access to maternal health care.
The governor’s proposal is based on the commitment of his administration to the development of workforce and previous investments to support access to health care through the Commonwealth. By making strategic investments in key industries such as health care, childcare and direct care, Shapiro administration tackles labor shortages that have an impact on Pennsylvania families and economic growth.
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Publisher’s note: Video downloads and photos of the press conference at the Harrisburg Area Community College are Available on PACAST.