(JUNEAU) - The Alaska House of Representatives unanimously approved HB 211 by a vote of 37 to zero on Thursday. Sponsored by House Health, Education, and Social Services Committee Chair Rep. Peggy Wilson (R-Wrangell), HB 211 establishes the Alaska Nurse Recruitment Loan Repayment Program as an incentive to attract new nurses to the state and encourage Alaskans to pursue nursing vocations in Alaska. The program offers up to $2,000 per year, not to exceed $10,000 to repay nursing loans.

"Lightening a nurse's loan repayment burden by even this modest amount should help attract more nurses to Alaska, and encourage Alaskans who are training to be nurses to stay here," Representative Wilson said.

In 2002, the Alaska Colleagues in Caring, in collaboration with the Alaska Hospital and Nursing Home Association, surveyed the need for more nurses in Alaska healthcare facilities. Results showed that vacancy rates for RNs had increased from 5.7% in 2000 to 11.5% in 2002, with more increases projected for the future. Facilities in western and northern Alaska reported a vacancy rate of more than 20%.

The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development projects that the state will need 4100 more nurses in the next seven years, almost double the current demand. The University of Alaska and health care institutions in the state are cooperating to expand in state nursing education opportunities, and aim to double the number of nursing graduates by 2006. Wilson, who is also a nurse, said that Alaska cannot afford to wait any longer to provide financial incentives to bring more nurses to Alaska.

"The quality of our health care is clearly in danger because of this shortage, and our health care facilities are spending millions of dollars to hire visiting nurses," Wilson said. "Our hospitals could spend those funds much more effectively on nurses who are committed to staying in Alaska communities."

HB 211 moves to the Senate.

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