Nurse Faculty Shortage Reduction Act of 2026

Key Points

• This bill, introduced by Senators Durbin and Murkowski, aims to fix the nursing shortage by helping schools hire more teachers. Currently, many qualified nurses choose to work in hospitals instead of classrooms because the pay is much higher. This plan would provide grants to bridge that pay gap.
• Nursing schools could receive federal money to boost the salaries of new teachers for up to three years. The grant would cover the difference between what a teacher makes and what they would likely earn working as a nurse in a clinic or hospital.
• The program would focus on schools that need the most help, such as those in rural areas or places with a major shortage of healthcare workers. It also gives priority to schools that work to recruit teachers from underrepresented backgrounds.
• Congress would set aside $15 million each year from 2027 through 2031 to fund these pay raises. To get the money, schools must show they have a plan to keep paying the higher salaries after the three-year federal grant ends.
• By helping schools afford better pay for faculty, the policy aims to reduce waitlists for nursing students. Currently, many qualified students are turned away from nursing programs because there aren't enough teachers to lead the classes.

Impact Analysis

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