Sponsors (4)
The bill would significantly expand student access to on-site nursing and target resources to high-need schools—improving health, attendance, and workforce stability—but it requires substantial and sustained funding, faces workforce and implementation limits, and risks uneven access across districts.
Students (especially K-12) will gain substantially increased access to on-site medical care because the bill funds hiring and conversion of part-time nurses to at least one full-time RN per school, improving management of chronic conditions and emergencies.
Low-income and uninsured children, and students in high-need districts, will receive greater access to basic health services because grants prioritize under-resourced schools and direct resources where shortages and health needs are greatest.
Students and schools will see fewer absences and classroom disruptions as improved on-site nursing care leads to better illness management, immunization compliance, and continuity of care.
Taxpayers, state, and local budgets will likely face substantial new costs to hire and retain full-time school nurses, requiring either increased spending, reallocation of education funds, or ongoing local funding commitments.
Program sustainability and implementation are at risk: grant-funded positions may lapse after the 5-year period and existing nursing workforce shortages could limit the ability to hire the required nurses, potentially returning schools to current shortage levels.
If additional funding is not sustained, hiring full-time RNs could divert funds from other school programs or services, creating opportunity costs for schools and students.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Creates a competitive 5-year federal grant program to help high-need school districts recruit, hire, and retain full-time registered nurses so every K–12 school has at least one RN and meets recommended ratios.
Introduced January 9, 2025 by Frederica Wilson · Last progress January 9, 2025
Creates a competitive five-year federal grant program to help state and local education agencies recruit, hire, convert to full-time, and retain registered nurses so every elementary and secondary school has at least one full-time registered nurse and meets recommended nurse-to-student ratios. Grants prioritize high-need districts and applicants who set hiring goals for underrepresented public-health populations; applicants must submit needs assessments, implementation and retention plans, and annual progress reports. Regulations and key definitions must be issued within 12 months, and the Secretary must run the program within one year of enactment.