14th Annual NBNA Day on Capitol Hill
February 2, 2002
"Keeping America Healthy: Finding Solutions for the Nursing Shortage"

National Black Nurses Day on Capitol Hill

In addition to our Annual Institute and Conference, the NBNA hosts a forum in February of each year dedicated to congressional health issues and policy. All Congressional Black Caucus members are invited to bring "greetings" as are the presidents of the 13 member organizations of the Black Congress on Health, Law and Economics (BCHLE). The Greater Washington Area Black Nurses Association host a health fair for NBNA Day participants, Capital Hill staffers and employees, and the community. Blood pressure, glucose monitoring for diabetes, clinical depression, and cholesterol screenings are conducted. These events are open to the public.

The day's activities are culminated in a reception hosted by the National Black Nurses Foundation.

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of the Health and Human Services, 2000 National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses details the inadequate supply of registered nurses; the growing demand for nursing services; the inadequate level of preparation of nurses to close the gap in health disparities; and the paucity of research data that provides conclusive evidence on the number of nurses needed to provide safe nursing care.

The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that the Nation will need an additional 1 million nurses by 2010 to staff hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and home health care services. Also, an ever growing shortage of faculty lessens the number of students a school of nursing can enroll.

When million of baby boomers retire by the year 2020, the demand for nursing services will grow significantly. With nurses retiring and leaving the profession because of the work environment, the health care gap, especially in communities of color will widen. Increasing the number of clinical nurses, nurse faculty and nurse researchers is key to keeping America healthy.

• The National Black Nurses Association advocates for support of S. 1864, a bill to establish a nurse corps and recruitment and retention strategies to address the nursing shortage. Some of elements of the bill include:

a. The bill would create a National Nurse Service Corps Scholarship Program, which provides scholarships in exchange for at least two years of service in a critical nursing shortage area or facility.
b. Provides grants for outreach at primary and secondary schools; scholarships or stipends to nursing students from disadvantaged backgrounds; education programs for students who need assistance with math, science, or other areas; establishment of partnerships between schools of nursing and health care facilities to improve access to care in underserved areas.
c. Promote diversity in the nursing workforce.
d. Provides scholarships, loans and stipends for graduate level.

• NBNA recommends $140 million in FY 2003 to support the Nurse Education Act to help increase the supply of registered nurses.

NBNA recommends expanding Title VIII funding for nursing education targeted to increase the number of minority registered nurses prepared at the baccalaureate level and the advanced practice degree level. Increased funding is needed for scholarships, grants and loans for nursing students.

Funding for faculty development and recruitment is essential. Funding to increase the number of faculty and the education preparation of faculty at the doctoral level is crucial. Critical nurse faculty shortages will impact our ability to increase the number of nurses entering into the profession. Further, funding is needed to establish a National Nurse Service Corps, similar to the National Health Service Corps. Senior nursing students need to receive clinical training, not only in health professions shortage areas, but also in community-based health care environments.

Increased funding is needed to establish a qualified cadre of nurse researchers who can address the health care issues that disproportionately impact African Americans, like cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, mental health, pain management and a variety of women's health issues.

• NBNA recommends $145 million for the National Institute of Nursing Research.

The NBNA strongly urges the NINR to increase funding to establish an effective recruitment and retention strategy to increase the number of women from diverse cultures to be included in NIH sponsored clinical research trials. Funding is needed for NINR to develop a public private partnership to support an integrated, comprehensive research agenda that will impact the health of African Americans. Increased funding will support nurse research on the cost effectiveness of different nursing practices on patient outcomes. These research initiatives will translate research into practice to improve nursing care management within diverse settings for diverse populations, and ultimately end the health disparities for African Americans.

The NBNA Briefing Paper on the Nursing Shortage was presented during the National Black Nurses Day on Capitol Hill on February 7, 2002.

2/6/2002

RETURN TO THE TOP