The Secretary may award grants to eligible entities to support State and local advertising campaigns through appropriate media outlets to promote the nursing profession, highlight the advantages and rewards of nursing, and encourage individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds to enter the nursing profession.

An eligible entity that receives a grant under subsection (a) shall use funds received through such grant to acquire local television and radio time, place advertisements in local newspapers, or post information on billboards or on the Internet in a manner intended to reach as wide and diverse an audience as possible, in order to—

(1) advertise and promote the nursing profession;

(2) promote nursing education programs;

(3) inform the public of financial assistance regarding such education programs;

(4) highlight individuals in the community who are practicing nursing in order to recruit new nurses; or

(5) provide any other information to recruit individuals for the nursing profession.

An eligible entity that receives a grant under subsection (a) shall not use funds received through such grant to advertise particular employment opportunities.

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2003 through 2007.

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title VIII, § 862, formerly § 852, as added Pub. L. 107–205, title I, § 102, Aug. 1, 2002, 116 Stat. 812; renumbered § 862, Pub. L. 111–148, title V, § 5310(b)(9)(A), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 631.)