Department of Health (601)

Authority: §§ 23-35.9 through 23-35.13, 23-37.1 through 23-37.5, and 32.1-122.5:1 through 32.1-122.10, Code of Virginia.

A. Out of this appropriation, $25,000 the first year and $25,000 the second year from the general fund is provided for five nurse practitioner scholarships pursuant to § 32.1-122.6:02, Code of Virginia.

B. Out of this appropriation, $50,000 the first year and $50,000 the second year from the general fund is provided for nursing scholarships and loan repayments.  All financial incentives shall be awarded in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Board of Health.  The department shall maintain an accounting of the numbers and amount of the awards made each year.

C. Out of this appropriation, $50,000 the first year and $50,000 the second year from the general fund is provided for scholarships and loan repayments for nursing students pursuing an advanced degree towards becoming nursing faculty at the college level.  Priority shall be given to master’s degree candidates who will teach in the community colleges.

D. The department may move appropriation between scholarship or loan repayment programs as long as the scholarship or loan repayment is in accordance with the regulations promulgated by the Board of Health.

E. The Secretary of Health and Human Resources in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Health shall examine and report on the effectiveness of existing incentive programs that are designed to attract nurses to underserved areas of Virginia. The report shall specifically include the Nursing Scholarship and Loan Repayment Program as part of the analysis and include recommendations to improve the program. The report shall be submitted to the Director, Department of Planning and Budget and to the Chairmen of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees by October 1, 2014.