Department of Veterans Affairs Nurse Recruitment and Retention Act of 2004

Bill: 108-hr-4231
Sponsor: Rep. Simmons, Rob [R-CT-2]
Introduced: 2004-04-28 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Advertising
Blind
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Dental care
Disabled
Education
Electronic government information
Employee selection
Federal employees
Federal officials
Government Operations and Politics
Government contractors
Government publicity
Health
Higher education
Hours of labor
Internet
Labor and Employment
Leave of absence
Legislation
Nurses
Nursing
Nursing education
Paramedical personnel
Physicians
Recruiting of employees
Salaries
Science, Technology, Communications
Sick leave
Soldiers' homes
Veterans' hospitals
Veterans' medical care
Veterans' rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2004-04-28
text: 
Department of Veterans Affairs Nurse Recruitment and Retention Act of 2004 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to designate a health care service region, or section within such a region, in which health care facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs are adversely affected by a shortage of qualified nurses, and to conduct a pilot program in such region or section on the use of innovative human-capital tools and techniques in the recruitment of qualified nurses for such positions. Requires the Secretary, as part of the pilot program, to: (1) identify private-sector nurse recruitment practices that have proven effective; and (2) revise procedures and systems to reduce the length of the hiring process.
 
Authorizes the Secretary, with respect to appointed nurses, to provide: (1) a three 12-hour day work schedule, with authorized overtime after a 36-hour workweek; (2) a seven day, 10-hour work schedule for each two-week period, with authorized overtime after working 80 hours within such period; and (3) a nine-month work period with three months off, with such nurses paid at 75 percent of the full-time rate.
 
Mandates that, for otherwise qualifying individuals, the lack of a baccalaureate degree in nursing shall not be a bar to appointment.
 
Includes certain additional health specialist positions within those positions which the Secretary is authorized to make appointments.

action_date: 2004-06-09
text: 
Department of Veterans Affairs Nurse Recruitment and Retention Act of 2004 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to designate a health care service region, or section within such a region, in which health care facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs are adversely affected by a shortage of qualified nurses, and to conduct a pilot program in such region or section on the use of innovative human-capital tools and techniques in the recruitment of qualified nurses for such positions. Requires the Secretary, as part of the pilot program, to: (1) identify and use private-sector nurse recruitment practices that have proven effective; and (2) revise procedures and systems to reduce the length of the hiring process. Requires a report from the Secretary to the congressional veterans' committees on the extent to which the pilot program achieved the goal of improving the recruitment and retention of nurses in Department health-care facilities.
 
Authorizes the Secretary, with respect to appointed nurses, to provide: (1) a three 12-hour day work schedule, with authorized overtime after a 36-hour workweek; (2) a seven day, 10-hour work schedule for each two-week period, with authorized overtime after working 80 hours within such period; and (3) a nine-month work period with three months off, with such nurses paid at 75 percent of the full-time rate.
 
Mandates that, for otherwise qualifying individuals, the lack of a baccalaureate degree in nursing shall not be a bar to appointment.
 
Includes dental hygienists, dental assistants, and blind rehabilitation specialists within those positions which the Secretary is authorized to make appointments.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to make payments to States to assist State homes in the hiring and retention of nurses and the reduction of nursing shortages at State homes. Limits payment amounts. Requires, from each State home receiving such assistance, an annual report to the Secretary on the use of such funds.
 
Removes the requirement that the Department's Under Secretary for Health be a doctor of medicine.

action_date: 2004-09-30
text: 
Department of Veterans Affairs Nurse Recruitment and Retention Act of 2004 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to designate a health care service region, or section within such a region, in which health care facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs are adversely affected by a shortage of qualified nurses, and to conduct a pilot program in such region or section on the use of innovative human-capital tools and techniques in the recruitment of qualified nurses for such positions. Requires the Secretary, as part of the pilot program, to: (1) identify and use private-sector nurse recruitment practices that have proven effective; and (2) revise procedures and systems to reduce the length of the hiring process. Requires a report from the Secretary to the congressional veterans' committees on the extent to which the pilot program achieved the goal of improving the recruitment and retention of nurses in Department health-care facilities.
 
Authorizes the Secretary, with respect to appointed nurses, to provide: (1) a three 12-hour day work schedule, with authorized overtime after a 36-hour workweek; (2) a seven day, 10-hour work schedule for each two-week period, with authorized overtime after working 80 hours within such period; and (3) a nine-month work period with three months off, with such nurses paid at 75 percent of the full-time rate.
 
Includes dental hygienists, dental assistants, and blind rehabilitation specialists within those positions which the Secretary is authorized to make appointments.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to make payments to States to assist State homes in the hiring and retention of nurses and the reduction of nursing shortages at State homes. Limits payment amounts. Requires, from each State home receiving such assistance, an annual report to the Secretary on the use of such funds.
 
Removes the requirement that the Department's Under Secretary for Health be a doctor of medicine.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-09-30
text: Received in the Senate.
action_date: 2004-09-30
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2004-09-30
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 411 - 1 (Roll no. 483). (text: CR 9/30/2004 H7797-7798)
action_date: 2004-09-30
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 411 - 1 (Roll no. 483).(text: CR 9/30/2004 H7797-7798)
action_date: 2004-09-30
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H7887-7888)
action_date: 2004-09-29
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2004-09-29
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4231.
action_date: 2004-09-29
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7797-7802)
action_date: 2004-09-29
text: Mr. Smith (NJ) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2004-06-09
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 312.
action_date: 2004-06-09
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 108-538.
action_date: 2004-06-09
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 108-538.
action_date: 2004-05-19
text: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2004-05-19
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2004-05-13
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2004-05-13
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2004-05-06
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2004-05-06
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2004-04-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2004-04-28
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E701-702)
action_date: 2004-04-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2004-04-28
text: Introduced in House