HB2026

Report Title:

University of Hawaii; Nursing Scholarships and Faculty Positions

Description:

Creates nursing scholarship program. Provides funding for two full-time nursing faculty positions and the creation of the nursing scholarship program for the University of Hawaii at Manoa and the University of Hawaii at Hilo.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2026
TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2002
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that there is a national and statewide shortage of registered nurses available to provide patient care in hospitals and in the community. Shortages exist for both practicing nurses and nursing faculty. In Hawaii, there is a shortage of at least two hundred nurses. To ensure access to quality health services in Hawaii, an adequate supply of registered nurses is necessary. In an effort to attract more students into the nursing profession, there is a need for a scholarship program to increase enrollment in the bachelor of science in nursing programs at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Additional nursing faculty is necessary as well, for without these positions the program cannot accommodate more nursing students.

The average age of nurses in Hawaii is forty-seven. Registered nurses under the age of thirty account for less than ten per cent of all employed nurses. Unless young people enter the nursing field, the projected shortage of registered nurses will intensify over the next ten years.

The purpose of this Act is to provide an incentive for Hawaii students to pursue higher education and training in the nursing profession and provide funding for two full-time nursing faculty positions. This Act is intended to ensure the continued viability of the nursing programs at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and the University of Hawaii at Hilo and to create a sustained group of well-trained nurses that will improve health care throughout the state.

SECTION 2. Chapter 304, Hawaii Revised Statutes is amended by adding a new part to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"PART . NURSING SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

§    -1 Nursing scholarship program; establishment, administration. (a) There is established the nursing scholarship program to be administered by the University of Hawaii. Only students enrolled in the bachelor of science in nursing programs at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and University of Hawaii at Hilo may participate in the nursing scholarship program.

(b) Scholarship recipients shall attend the bachelor of science in nursing program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa or University of Hawaii at Hilo and maintain a "B" or 3.0 grade point average or better. Scholarship funds may be used for tuition and fees and such other costs as the University of Hawaii may deem appropriate including but not limited to transportation, child care, or clinical subsidies related to the student’s academic work. Scholarship grants received by a student from the program shall not be considered taxable income under chapter 235.

(c) Scholarship recipients shall work for a minimum of twenty hours per week as a licensed registered nurse in Hawaii for three years after receiving the bachelor of science in nursing degree. If a scholarship recipient fails to meet the criteria outlined in this subsection, all funds shall be reimbursed by the scholarship recipient to the University of Hawaii.

(d) If a student terminates enrollment in the bachelor of science in nursing program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa or University of Hawaii at Hilo during the academic year or prior to completion of the approved course of study, the student shall return all unused portions of the scholarship grant to the University of Hawaii. Returned amounts shall be used to fund other scholarship grants under this part."

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2002-2003 for the establishment, administration, and funding of the nursing scholarship program.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $             or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2002-2003 for one full-time nursing faculty position (1.00 FTE) in the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s baccalaureate nursing degree program and one full-time nursing faculty position (1.00 FTE) in the University of Hawaii at Hilo’s baccalaureate nursing program.

SECTION 5. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2002.

INTRODUCED BY:

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