One School, One Nurse Act of 2025
- Sponsor
- Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24]
- Committees
- Energy and Commerce Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Jan 9, 2025
Bottom line
The One School, One Nurse Act of 2025 aims to ensure every elementary and secondary school has a full-time registered nurse by providing federal grants to local and state educational agencies.
What it actually does
This bill authorizes the Secretary of Education to establish a competitive grant program for local educational agencies (LEAs) and State educational agency (SEA) partnerships. The grants are intended to help elementary and secondary schools recruit, hire, and retain at least one full-time registered nurse and maintain recommended nurse-to-student ratios. It prioritizes high-need LEAs and the recruitment of nurses from underrepresented populations.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that school nurses are a critical source of health services, especially for uninsured children, and contribute to better student health outcomes, fewer absences, higher immunization rates, and a more positive school climate. They contend that a federal grant program is necessary to address persistent shortages of school nurses, particularly in high-need areas, and to alleviate the burden on educators and other school staff.
Opponents contend
Potential critics might raise concerns about federal overreach into local school administration, arguing that health services and staffing decisions for schools are primarily a state or local responsibility. Some may question the cost of a new federal grant program or suggest that alternative approaches, such as direct state funding or incentives for nursing education, might be more effective or less administratively burdensome.
The bill is short and clearly written, making it accessible for a quick but thorough review by an informed reader.
Section 3(a)
Establishment of One School, One Nurse Grant Program
This section directs the Secretary of Education to create a competitive grant program within 12 months of the bill's enactment. The grants will be awarded to eligible entities, such as local educational agencies or partnerships with state educational agencies, for a period of 5 years. The primary goal of these grants is to assist schools in ensuring they have at least one full-time registered nurse on staff and maintain recommended nurse-to-student ratios.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that this direct authorization is essential to address the documented national shortage of school nurses and provides a clear federal mechanism to support student health and well-being nationwide, especially in underserved communities.
Critics contend
Critics might argue that establishing a new federal grant program adds administrative burden and may not be the most efficient way to address local staffing issues, preferring state or local solutions that might be more tailored to specific community needs.
Tradeoffs
This provision balances the recognized need for federal support to address a national health and education issue with potential concerns about federal intervention in areas traditionally managed at the state and local levels.
Section 3(b) and 3(c)
Grant Application Requirements and Selection Priorities
Eligible entities applying for grants must submit a detailed application including a needs assessment demonstrating persistent shortages of school nurses and a comprehensive plan for using funds to address these shortages and ensure nurse retention after the grant period. The Secretary of Education will give priority to high-need local educational agencies (or partnerships involving them) and to applicants that set specific hiring goals for recruiting nurses from underrepresented populations in public health professions.
Section 3(d)
Authorized Activities for Grant Funds
Grant funds awarded under this program can be used for several key activities. These include recruiting and hiring new school nurses, providing resources to convert existing part-time school nurse positions into full-time roles, supporting the retention of school nurses (which may include increasing salaries), and maintaining recommended nurse-to-student ratios as defined by federal regulation. This provides flexibility for eligible entities to address their specific staffing challenges.
Section 3(e) and 3(f)
Reporting Requirements and Regulatory Framework
Grant recipients are required to submit annual reports detailing their progress in employing full-time registered nurses, maintaining nurse-to-student ratios, and addressing student health needs, including disaggregated data on nurse demographics. Within 12 months of enactment, the Secretary of Education, in consultation with the Secretaries of Health and Human Services and Labor, must establish regulations. These regulations will define recommended nurse-to-student ratios, 'underrepresented populations in public health professions,' and 'full-time' for school nurses, and provide technical assistance to eligible entities.