New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez (R) has signed legislation that gives nurses support as they work toward becoming nursing instructors, according to an Albuquerque Journal report.
The legislation, which was signed into law Monday, expands the pool of nurses eligible for financial aid from the Nurse Educators Fund so they can go after advanced degrees and then teach at public higher education institutions, according to the report.
As it stands now, the loan-for-service program is only open to faculty members. However, with the change, registered nurses who are studying for bachelor's, master's or doctoral degrees in order to teach would also be able to receive aid from the fund, according to the report.
State officials contend that nursing education programs turn away applicants each year, and increasing the number of nursing instructors could expand the capacity of such programs, according to the report.
More articles on workforce:
Physicians at U of California health centers begin walkout
Pennsylvania hospitals report job losses in 2015
New Mexico governor signs bill to help increase the number of nursing instructors