Advocacy Issue: Title VIII Funding Reauthorization
Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development programs administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) are essential for preparing the next generation of nurses.
For more than 50 years, the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development programs, administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration, have served as the primary federal mechanism for strengthening nursing education, practice and retention across all settings. These programs are essential for preparing the next generation of nurses.
Nurses constitute the largest segment of the U.S. health care workforce, accounting for over 30% of all health professionals. Despite this substantial presence, the nation faces a significant nursing shortage, with projections indicating a need for more than 200,000 new nurses annually to meet the growing demand for health services.
AONL Position
AONL supports the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act (S.1874/H.R. 3593) to fund existing workforce development programs through FY 2029.
What Title VIII Programs Support
Key Program Areas:
- Advanced nursing education and practice
- Workforce diversity initiatives
- Nurse faculty loan programs
- Nursing student loans and scholarships
- Nurse education, practice, quality and retention programs
- Support for nurses in underserved areas