PORTLAND, ORE. – On July 6, 2015, Oregon Governor Kate Brown signed into law Senate Bill 72, which establishes the Oregon Nursing Advancement Fund. The bill creates a $9 license surcharge on licensed practical nurses and registered nurses which will be used to fund a non-profit organization which conducts research studies on the nursing workforce, convenes organization around nursing issues, and works to advance the profession of nursing.
“As Oregon’s nursing workforce research center, we are thrilled that the Oregon’s lawmakers have passed this important piece of legislation,” said Jana R. Bitton, Executive Director of the Oregon Center for Nursing. “It is essential to have up-to-date, accurate, non-biased information on the nursing workforce available to the public. The funding from the Oregon Nursing Advancement Fund will ensure that Oregon’s nurses and other stakeholders will continue to benefit from timely, relevant nursing workforce research in the future.”
The passage of Senate Bill 72, makes Oregon the 12th state in the US to use a license surcharge to fund nursing workforce centers. “We would like to thank all of the individual nurses and organizations who voiced their support for this legislation,” said Bitton. “This would not have been possible without the unilateral support and united voice the nursing community brought to Salem.”
OCN is a nonprofit organization created by nursing leaders in 2002. OCN facilitates research and collaboration for Oregon’s nursing workforce to support informed, well-prepared, diverse and exceptional nursing professionals. Recognized by the Oregon state legislature as a state advisory for nursing workforce issues, OCN fulfills its mission through nurse workforce research, building partnerships, and advocating for nursing and healthcare. For more information about OCN, please visit www.oregoncenterfornursing.org.
