Harrisburg, Pa. − May 6, 2026 − On National Nurses Day, Senator Maria Collett, RN (D-12 Montgomery, Caucus Chair) has announced legislation to support and expand Pennsylvania’s nursing workforce.
As Pennsylvania’s population continues to age, addressing the nurse staffing crisis is more urgent than ever. A 2024 survey by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing found that almost 40% of nurses intended to leave the workforce or retire within the next five years, with stress and burnout named as primary reasons. Research shows that adequate staffing is the top factor that would increase nurses’ likelihood of returning to the profession.
“If we want to build a healthier, more resilient Commonwealth, we need a strong nursing workforce,” Collett said. “Since day one in office, I have been working to ensure nurses and healthcare workers have the tools they need to do their jobs safely and effectively – because when nursing care suffers, patients are at risk. That’s why I fought so hard to secure $55 million for my Student Loan Relief for Nurses Program and establish the Nursing Workforce Initiative during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. And it’s why I won’t stop pushing for the evidence-backed reforms our hardworking nurses have been asking for for decades.”
Senator Collett’s proposed nursing workforce legislation includes:
- The Patient Safety Act: Sets appropriate nurse-to-patient ratios depending on the nature of the unit; for instance, a neo-natal intensive care unit has a much lower ratio of 2 patients to 1 nurse, than a pre-surgical unit set at 4 patients to 1 nurse.
- Nursing Education Capacity Legislation (SB 998 – passed the PA Senate on April 20, 2026): Provides targeted funding for accredited nursing programs, enabling them to expand nursing faculty and increase the number of nurse preceptors. Investments could be used to recruit and retain faculty, support faculty development, and enhance clinical training opportunities through strategic partnerships.
- Healthcare Workforce Violence Prevention Act (SB 709): Requires health facilities to establish a workplace violence prevention committee and protects employees and healthcare providers from retaliation for reporting workplace violence.
Collett added: “I’m proud that my bipartisan nursing education bill has advanced to the PA House, and I hope my colleagues in the Senate majority will join me in continuing to prioritize these essential workers by passing my safe staffing and violence prevention bills next.”
To recognize the vital role of nurses across the Commonwealth, Senator Collett re-introduced several senate resolutions and provided remarks on the Senate floor today:
- Nurses Week in Pennsylvania (SR 99): Declares May 6 to 12, 2026 as “Nurses Week” in Pennsylvania.
- Skilled Nursing Care Week in Pennsylvania: Declares May 10–16, 2026 as “Skilled Nursing Care Week” in Pennsylvania.
- School Nurse Day in Pennsylvania: Declares May 6, 2026 as “School Nurse Day” in Pennsylvania.
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