Chancellor Charlton advocates for Senate Bill 4 98 to sustain Nevada nursing program funding
May 22, 2025 | 2025 Legislature NV, Nevada
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The Nevada Senate Committee on Finance convened on May 22, 2025, to discuss Senate Bill 498, which seeks to secure continued funding for nursing programs across the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE). Chancellor Patricia Charlton presented the bill, emphasizing the critical need for sustained financial support to address the state's nursing shortage and enhance healthcare access.
In 2023, the legislature allocated $20 million to expand nursing programs, but Charlton noted that this funding is insufficient for long-term sustainability. She highlighted that without ongoing support, nursing programs would revert to pre-funding levels, exacerbating the existing healthcare crisis in Nevada. The committee heard from various representatives from NSHE institutions, including the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), who detailed the positive impacts of the previous funding on faculty recruitment and student enrollment.
Senator Titus raised questions about the specific outcomes of the funding, seeking clarity on how many additional nurses would be produced as a result. The chancellor assured the committee that they would provide detailed enrollment statistics. Other senators inquired about the institutions benefiting from the funding, which includes UNLV, UNR, Nevada State College, and several community colleges.
Supporters of SB 498, including deans from nursing schools and representatives from nursing associations, echoed the need for continued investment. They reported significant increases in student enrollment and faculty hiring, which have allowed programs to expand and improve educational quality. For instance, UNLV's nursing program has increased its cohort size significantly, while Nevada State University noted that it could graduate an additional 264 nurses over the next biennium with sustained funding.
The committee's discussions underscored the urgency of addressing Nevada's nursing shortage, which ranks among the lowest in the nation for nurses per capita. The continued funding proposed in SB 498 is seen as essential not only for maintaining current program capacities but also for preparing the next generation of nurses to meet the state's healthcare needs. The committee is expected to deliberate further on the bill, with advocates urging prompt legislative action to secure the future of nursing education in Nevada.
In 2023, the legislature allocated $20 million to expand nursing programs, but Charlton noted that this funding is insufficient for long-term sustainability. She highlighted that without ongoing support, nursing programs would revert to pre-funding levels, exacerbating the existing healthcare crisis in Nevada. The committee heard from various representatives from NSHE institutions, including the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), who detailed the positive impacts of the previous funding on faculty recruitment and student enrollment.
Senator Titus raised questions about the specific outcomes of the funding, seeking clarity on how many additional nurses would be produced as a result. The chancellor assured the committee that they would provide detailed enrollment statistics. Other senators inquired about the institutions benefiting from the funding, which includes UNLV, UNR, Nevada State College, and several community colleges.
Supporters of SB 498, including deans from nursing schools and representatives from nursing associations, echoed the need for continued investment. They reported significant increases in student enrollment and faculty hiring, which have allowed programs to expand and improve educational quality. For instance, UNLV's nursing program has increased its cohort size significantly, while Nevada State University noted that it could graduate an additional 264 nurses over the next biennium with sustained funding.
The committee's discussions underscored the urgency of addressing Nevada's nursing shortage, which ranks among the lowest in the nation for nurses per capita. The continued funding proposed in SB 498 is seen as essential not only for maintaining current program capacities but also for preparing the next generation of nurses to meet the state's healthcare needs. The committee is expected to deliberate further on the bill, with advocates urging prompt legislative action to secure the future of nursing education in Nevada.
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