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The full Senate gives approval to a measure aimed at addressing Oklahoma’s nursing shortage, which has worsened as a result of the pandemic.

Republican Sen. John Haste of Broken Arrow is the co-chair of the Joint Committee on Pandemic Relief Funding’s working group on Health and Human Services. Haste presented the measure to the full Senate on Thursday.

Haste says the held a public meeting to look at the impact of the pandemic on Oklahoma last year, and one of the things they learned about was the shortage of nurses at all levels, in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living centers and other facilities. He says these grants will help 21 institutions to expand their nursing programs, enabling them to better meet this crucial need in our state starting this fall.

Senate Bill 1458 would use $55 million of the state’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to establish grant programs to help 21 state colleges, universities, and technology centers to address this pressing need.

SB 1458 now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. House Majority Floor Leader John Echols, R-Oklahoma City, is the House principal author of the measure.

"It's absolutely critical we get more nurses into our health care facilities to help improve care and outcomes for Oklahomans," Echols said. "The dollars provided by this legislation will ensure more nurses are trained and ready to help address our current shortage."