Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Service to award grants to hospitals to improve work environments and utilize aggressive nurse recruitment and retention practices. Sets forth grant award criteria, including multidisciplinary decision-making, a nurse retention committee, and a nurse residency training program.
Requires the Secretary to establish a Bridge Scholarship Program where hospital-based nurses complete a B.S. in nursing in exchange for service at the sponsoring hospital. Sets forth terms for such scholarship, including repayment with interest should a nurse fail to complete the program as agreed.