AACN Applauds Congress for Enacting the Stimulus Bill That Includes Funding Nursing Education

I have worked as an LPN for 19 years and because of working for 19 years, I have never quite been able to qualify for any assistance other than student loans. I paid for my LPN school loan through payroll deduction at the hospital I worked at. I remember the day the last payment was due. To face another loan of tens of thousands of dolloar just to finish an associates degree is not feesible to me or my husband.. Why not allow those of us who have been working nurses for many years the opportunity to test out for ASN classes and see where we need to study. This way we wouldn't be starting all over again and having to pay for classes we don't need. I appreciate the idea of a well rounded education but I think real life experience should count for something.

Wonderful president Obama. I'm glad someone has finally heard the voice of the nurse.

I am skeptical of how much this "so called Stimulus Bill" will help at anything. It is a very bloated pork ladened piece of legislation. If it will actually help nurses and students further their nursing education that would be wonderful. I have my LPN and have completed my prerequisites for RN school, I start in an ASN program in August at the local 2 year college. It would be great to have additional funding, since I will be forced to cut my work hours while going to school full-time. I am not expecting to see any though, my husband and I expect to cut our expenses and tough it out.

A Professional Nurse qualifies one to work in the arena of healthcare in areas other than a hospital. My history of nursing was in the Public Health and School Health Nursing and it appears to me, that funding for qualified nurses in these two areas reach into the community and provide education and teaching current quality health education to the general population. Take a future look at the nursing professional, it needs continuing education for entry into this level of health services and to qualify for serving a much needed level to the public's need of health care. One example is to have money for school nurses in the budget. The Public and Private School Administrators need to have Certified School Nurses to serve children and educate parents and staff about health of children 24/7. When funds become deficient school nurses are not hired and are frequently cut from the budget. However, School Nurses have certification equal to a teacher,school psychologist,speech therapist,and PTOT therapist. The parent's need services and health education as well as the teachers and power position of school boards and administrative staff. The stimulus package possibly will restore sources equity for School Nurses in Public School Sysytems across America.

Before the applause gets too deafening, let's ask just what this government larrgess, with our money, is going to cost us. If it means British/Canadian style "universal health care", the cheering section should perhaps have second thoughts.
TANSTAAFL
I, for one, still prefer that medical decisions about my care be made by medical professionals, not lawyers and accountants.
Be careful what you wish for, you might just get it.

ibsteof talking to the gov. lets talk to each other!teachers have a powerful union,a national retirement system,,3 mos off. they need us , if we are smart we wont need the gov.lets make our own rules.r.n.1974

first how are we going to be funding this?? Will this help create more jobs in the hospitals? Some of the local hospitals in my area are laying off nurses because they cant afford them, so what's going to happen when some new lpn or RN gets out of school and cant find a job. My other though is yes it'll help get more nurses but will the quality of care for the patients decrease??
Its good in theory but wil it actually work??

Moved here last Oct. Plenty of jobs then, now laid off in Jan. Not so many jobs, hiring freezes at some hospitals. Employers are now interviewing many and doing 2nd and 3rd interviews. Bizarre market. Local Comm college starting online A.S. program!! Money for that but upper level not so much. If Government gives us money for school, it is us who will pay it back amny times over. I suspect money will be for lower paid type jobs to show "Significant progress" I maxed out pay rate few yrs ago and now it seems to be going down, so many applicants why pay decent rate?? Lack of instructors is apparently bigger problems then lack of money! And lack of instructors is lack of pay for all the yrs of education and training needed! How is stimulus going to fix that??