HCS HB 247 -- NURSING STUDENT LOAN PROGRAM

SPONSOR:  Kingery (Loehner)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee on
Higher Education by a vote of 12 to 0.

This substitute revises the definition of "eligible student" as
it relates to the Nursing Student Loan Program to allow
individuals seeking doctoral degrees in nursing or those with a
master of science in nursing seeking a doctorate in education to
participate in the loan program.  Doctoral applicants may be
part-time students.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2010, FY 2011, and
FY 2012.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the average age of nursing
faculty is 55, so financial support for educating the next
generation of nursing faculty is an important issue.  The
addition of part-time students is needed because many nurses
seeking advanced degrees are employed and not able to undertake a
full-time doctoral program.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Loehner; Lucy
Brenner, Department of Health and Senior Services Nurse Loan
Repayment Advisory Committee; Missouri Association of Homes for
the Aging; University of Missouri; Missouri Hospital Association;
and Missouri Nurses Association.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

OTHERS:  Others testifying on the bill say that the University of
Central Missouri has a collaborative nursing doctoral program
with the University of Missouri.

Testifying on the bill was University of Central Missouri.

Missouri House of Representatives
95th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated November 17, 2009 at 9:24 am