nursing

Students would still need to receive a high school diploma to become licensed by the state, but Senate Bill 176 would allow them to begin an educational program while still in high school.

Health

Licensed practical nursing programs in Indiana could train high school students under new proposal

Abigail Ruhman

Indiana law requires licensed practical nursing programs to only accept people who have completed their high school diploma — but lawmakers say removing that requirement could address nursing shortages in the state. A Senate committee moved a bill forward to make it easier for high school students to enroll in those programs.

Lawmakers said the healthcare workforce is still recovering from the pandemic, and HB 1259 will address barriers within the industry.

Statewide

Bill to tackle nursing workforce hurdles – including licensing, instructors – nears governor's desk

Abigail Ruhman

Indiana has a nursing shortage, but nursing schools say they don't have enough faculty to educate the amount of students the state needs. The Senate passed a bill that simplifies nursing instructor requirements and eliminates a barrier for nurses from other countries to work in Indiana.

Trauma-informed care is a health care approach that recognizes how trauma and adversity affects patients. Senate Bill 45 would require nurses to complete trauma-informed care training within five years of starting a position in direct contact with patients. However, the requirement is not directly tied to licensure.

Statewide

Trauma-informed care could be first continuing education requirement for Indiana RNs, LPNs

Abigail Ruhman

Trauma-informed care could be the first state-mandated continuing education requirement for registered nurses and licensed practical nurses. A Senate committee moved forward a bill that would create the one-time training requirement for nurses in Indiana.

House Bill 1259 makes the only requirement for instructors a nursing license, eliminating the 18-month minimum on clinical experience needed. The bill’s author said the institutions are “best equipped” to judge who has the experience to educate nursing students.

Statewide

Indiana lawmakers want to streamline licensing requirements during nursing shortage

Abigail Ruhman

Indiana needs more nursing school graduates to meet the states current health care needs, but nursing schools say they don't have enough faculty. A House committee passed a bill that would remove the clinical experience requirement for instructors to help meet those needs.