Washington State Legislature House Bill 2158: HB 2158 was passed in 2019, which invested $40 million in salaries for nurse educators working in community or technical college settings and reflected an overall 26.5% increase in salaries for these nurse faculty members. While this legislation was crucial in providing salary increases to community and technical college faculty, it did not impact the salary for nurse faculty teaching in 4-year college settings.^6,7,8 The impact of this legislation was to support community and technical colleges in recruiting much needed faculty. However, an inequity in the ability of four-year colleges and universities to recruit nurse faculty has widened. Most BSN degree programs are in four-year colleges and universities. BSN programs admit approximately half of the total number of RN students each year².

Washington State Legislature House Bill 2007: Demand data by the Washington Center for Nursing shows that the average wage for nurse faculty in 2020 was $88,738, compared to registered nursing at $88,018. This demonstrates that there is little financial incentive by income for registered nurses to choose a nurse faculty role. The vast majority of nurse faculty in Washington have a master’s degree in nursing, while registered nurses can have an associates or bachelor’s degree in nursing. Nurse faculty are also required to maintain an advanced degree, with graduate student loans often totaling around $100,000 and median faculty salaries ranging between $67,000-$93,000. Passed in March 2022, HB 2007 establishes a nurse educator loan repayment (NELR) program, which reimburses up to $75,000 for 3 years of full-time faculty employment. While this bill does provide financial incentive to pursue a career in nursing education, it does not fully cover a nurse faculty’s loans based on their median salary and potential loan accrual.^2,6,9,10

2021-2023 Supplemental Budget Report: The 2021-2023 Washington state supplemental budget shows increased governmental commitment to nursing education. $3 million is allotted to implement HB 2007. The supplemental budget also funds additional student admissions to nursing programs and new nursing programs in Washington state.^11,12

Congressional House Resolution 851: HR 851 focuses on expanding the capacity and infrastructure of nursing schools within the United States. It invests $1 billion in nursing schools, helping them to meet current and future health challenges by addressing faculty and student recruitment and retention, further developing educational programs, and expanding clinical partnerships within healthcare facilities. While HR 851 was introduced to Congress in February 2021, no movement has occurred on the bill, indicating there is opportunity for nursing advocacy to bring further attention to this legislation. ^13,14

Recommendations

The supplemental budget indicates that nursing education is a high priority in Washington state. The creation of additional student admissions to nursing programs underscores the need for the recruitment and retention of nursing faculty. HB 2158 was instrumental in increasing pay for community and technical college faculty. Expanding this legislation to improve pay for nurse faculty in 4-year colleges could help to recruit and retain nurse faculty in these settings more equitably. While HB 2007 does offer substantial financial reimbursement through the NELR program, further repayment options and salary increases are needed to increase nurse faculty employment. Congressional movement on HR 851 is also recommended, as it would aid in revitalizing nursing education nationally through the resolution’s $1 billion investment in nursing education.