PUBLIC LAW 107-205—AUG. 1, 2002 116 STAT. 815 TITLE II—NURSE RETENTION SEC. 201. BUILDING CAREER LADDERS AND RETAINING QUALITY NURSES. Section 831 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 296p) is amended to read as follows: "SEC. 831. NURSE EDUCATION, PRACTICE, AND RETENTION GRANTS. "(a) EDUCATION PRIORITY AREAS.—The Secretary may award grants to or enter into contracts with eligible entities for— "(1) expanding the enrollment in baccalaureate nursing programs; "(2) developing and implementing internship and residency programs to encourage mentoring and the development of specialties; or "(3) providing education in new technologies, including distance learning methodologies. "(b) PRACTICE PRIORITY AREAS.— The Secretary may award grants to or enter into contracts with eligible entities for— "(1) establishing or expanding nursing practice arrangements in noninstitutional settings to demonstrate methods to improve access to primary health care in medically underserved communities; "(2) providing care for underserved populations and other high-risk groups such as the elderly, individuals with HIV/ AIDS, substance abusers, the homeless, and victims of domestic violence; "(3) providing managed care, quality improvement, and other skills needed to practice in existing and emerging organized health care systems; or "(4) developing cultural competencies among nurses. "(c) RETENTION PRIORITY AREAS.—The Secretary may award grants to and enter into contracts with eligible entities to enhance the nursing workforce by initiating and maintaining nurse retention programs pursuant to paragraph (1) or (2). "(1) GRANTS FOR CAREER LADDER PROGRAMS. — - The Secretary may award grants to and enter into contracts with eligible entities for programs— "(A) to promote career advancement for nursing personnel in a variety of training settings, cross training or specialty training among diverse population groups, and the advancement of individuals including to become professional nurses, advanced education nurses, licensed practical nurses, certified nurse assistants, and home health aides; and "(B) to assist individuals in obtaining education and training required to enter the nursing profession and advance within such profession, such as by providing career counseling and mentoring. " (2) ENHANCING PATIENT CARE DELIVERY SYSTEMS. — "(A) GRANTS. — The Secretary may award grants to eligible entities to improve the retention of nurses and enhance patient care that is directly related to nursing activities by enhancing collaboration and communication among nurses and other health care professionals, and 99-1940-03-2:QL3Part2
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