The Secretary may award grants to, and enter into contracts with, eligible entities to enhance the nursing workforce by initiating and maintaining nurse retention programs pursuant to subsection (b) or (c).

The Secretary may award grants to, and enter into contracts with, eligible entities for programs—

(1) to promote career advancement for individuals including licensed practical nurses, licensed vocational nurses, certified nurse assistants, home health aides,[1] diploma degree or associate degree nurses, to become baccalaureate prepared registered nurses or advanced education nurses in order to meet the needs of the registered nurse workforce;

(2) developing and implementing internships and residency programs in collaboration with an accredited school of nursing, as defined by section 296(2) of this title, to encourage mentoring and the development of specialties; or

(3) to assist individuals in obtaining education and training required to enter the nursing profession and advance within such profession.

The Secretary may award grants to eligible entities to improve the retention of nurses and enhance patient care that is directly related to nursing activities by enhancing collaboration and communication among nurses and other health care professionals, and by promoting nurse involvement in the organizational and clinical decision-making processes of a health care facility.

(1) Grants The Secretary may award grants to eligible entities to improve the retention of nurses and enhance patient care that is directly related to nursing activities by enhancing collaboration and communication among nurses and other health care professionals, and by promoting nurse involvement in the organizational and clinical decision-making processes of a health care facility.

(2) Priority In making awards of grants under this subsection, the Secretary shall give preference to applicants that have not previously received an award under this subsection (or section 296p(c) of this title as such section existed on the day before March 23, 2010).

(3) Continuation of an award The Secretary shall make continuation of any award under this subsection beyond the second year of such award contingent on the recipient of such award having demonstrated to the Secretary measurable and substantive improvement in nurse retention or patient care.

The Secretary may award grants to, or enter into contracts with, eligible entities to address other areas that are of high priority to nurse retention, as determined by the Secretary.

The Secretary shall submit to the Congress before the end of each fiscal year a report on the grants awarded and the contracts entered into under this section. Each such report shall identify the overall number of such grants and contracts and provide an explanation of why each such grant or contract will meet the priority need of the nursing workforce.

For purposes of this section, the term “eligible entity” includes an accredited school of nursing, as defined by section 296(2) of this title, a health care facility, or a partnership of such a school and facility.

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2012.

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title VIII, § 831A, as added Pub. L. 111–148, title V, § 5309(b), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 630.)