More Nurses Needed

 

LYLLI DUONG Staff Writer

According to Los Angeles News, nurse practitioners across California need to gain more authority and more opportunities to study their field in order to avoid a predicted healthcare crisis in the state. Due to Gov. Gavin Newsom wanting to expand healthcare to lower-income and immigrant communities, a report by the California Future Health Workforce Commission established a $3 billion plan.

Currently, however, one-third of the nurses and doctors are nearing retirement age. An Emerging California Health Leaders Scholarship program is willing to pay the full tuition for 3,810 low income students and first generation students who are willing to enroll in the health field. While this is an incredible opportunity for some, others view the deal as unfair. “I think this scholarship is not the best since all students would want their tuition to be paid full,” Rosie Guerra said. “It would only be applied to students in the health field.”

The California Medical Association (CMA) is against the proposal that would allow nurses to work independently. California is one of the 28 states that requires nurses to work under a doctor’s supervision. The CMA also recommends that the state hire healthcare workers from diverse communities. Those students who participate in the program will be committed to working at an underserved community for three years.