(April 3, 2024) – Today, the subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee met again. The committee heard from Scott Brunner, Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services. The committee asked about a Nebraska program specific to recruiting behavioral health programs. The committee discussed funding for a Behavioral Health Center of Excellence. It was decided they would discuss it further during the Omnibus/veto session.
Blake Flanders, Kansas Board of Regents, testified regarding nursing program capacity, the National Council Licensure Examination, the Western Kansas nursing workforce, Kansas Nursing Initiative. He discussed headwinds related to the nursing shortage, citing long-term student demand uncertainty, college readiness, public perception of the value of a college degree, effect of COVID on nursing as a career. It was suggested there is a need to take a comprehensive approach to reform. Flanders highlighted shortages have been ongoing, and college ACT benchmarks have dropped in math, science, English and reading. Flanders emphasized the need to recruit out-of-state students and additional service scholarships. He emphasized the need for community colleges to connect with other nursing programs, as well as collaboration among institutions. Flanders said the requirements for nursing instructors should be questioned.
Heather Morgan, Kansas Community College Association, testified they train a significant amount of those who enter this workforce. She emphasized the need is no longer financial. Morgan emphasized more remedial courses are needed in math, and highlighted the contrast in geographic area for the number of students and instructors. Morgan made note of the work that has been done for specialty programs and how we can grow the number of students and retain them through further training. She suggested the Promise Scholarship be expanded to include out-of-state students, highlighting the need for specialized certification for mental health specialty certification and increased pay for nursing educators.
Jim Genandtt, Kansas Association for Career and Technical Education, testified technical college growth and applications for nursing students have been on the rise since post-COVID. He highlighted the need for additional instructors to teach CNA courses. Genandtt suggested simulation lab hours be increased when clinical settings are unavailable, noting they have trouble finding clinical sites.
Carol Moreland, Kansas Board of Nursing, discussed licensure requirements for nursing. She updated the committee on the reinstatement process for licensure and discussed the Nurse Licensure Compact. She shared that KSBN approves an increase in nursing students for programs, as long as they have resources and stated they have never turned away a request. They allowed simulation experience for 50 percent of their clinical time. Added the use of preceptors in practical nurse programs. Revised IV therapy regulations for licensed practical nurses to now be taught in a practical nursing curriculum. Supported the apprenticeship model allowing students to get paid for their clinicals. LMHT programs are lacking because of no college credit related to licensure. She highlighted the need to allow more nurses to practice at the top scope of their licensure and the need to go hybrid. Moreland shared the average passing rates for NCLEX has gone up significantly since 2022 and talked about testing and curriculum changes. She suggested the number of licenses are up by more than 800, and they still have one more quarter remaining in the year. She suggested state funds for a professional media campaign for nursing. She emphasized salary, staffing ratios and safety.
Kyle Kessler, Association of Community Mental Health Centers, shared that they recommend $2.4 million for increases in salaries for nursing faculty at community and technical colleges, and $2,500 for recruiting and retention bonuses. He suggested the Center for Excellence could distribute the funds.
Jaron Caffrey, Kansas Hospital Association, shared work done to overcome workforce challenges including preceptor training and the Happy in Health Care website. Caffrey noted a comprehensive approach is needed to make Kansas more competitive in recruitment. He suggested more investments in apprenticeships, an agency staffing proviso, nursing service scholarship program increases, the need for pay increases and tax credits for nursing instructors, creating an allied health scholarship program, more funding in general medical education, and looking at the rural opportunity zone program.
Kylee Childs, LeadingAge Kansas, suggested investments in career ladders and suggested HOSA chapter investments. She suggested proviso language and pricing transparency would be helpful and recommended a health care workforce roundtable on a comprehensive workforce bill for 2025.
Amy Garcia, Kansas Nursing Workforce Center, shared they are working on a statewide nursing workforce report.
The committee meets again tomorrow to formulate further recommendations.