Assembly OKs Nurse Training Grants

With the shortage of nurses and health care specialists reaching critical levels, the state Assembly has passed legislation to provide training grants for nursing and high-technology professionals.

The bill, championed by Assemblywoman Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara), would provide matching grants for public and private partnerships to train nurses and high-technology specialists.

The bill now goes before the Senate for a vote and then to Gov. Gray Davis for final approval.

“This bill is an excellent way to utilize state resources to improve segments of the work force critical to our economy and health care,” Jackson said in a written statement.

Assembly Bill 389 would authorize the Chancellor of California Community Colleges to provide grants through its system to develop site-based training programs.

Grants would be provided on a competitive basis for specialty nursing programs in the areas of emergency, obstetrics, pediatrics, neonatal intensive and post-operative care.

The bill also provides grant programs for the multimedia, biotechnology and high-tech industries.

If the bill is approved, grant applications would have to demonstrate that a shortage of trained workers exists in a certain field and that industry partners are willing to equal matching funds, mentors and training opportunities.

The amount of money available for the program has not been determined but would be decided during the state’s budget process.

The bill is scheduled to be discussed by the Senate Education Committee later this month.