Leatherman: Nursing Shortage Addressed in Senate Bill

Filed Under Caucus, Leatherman

As you know, healthcare plays a tremendous role in Florence County and throughout the entire state. The healthcare community provides a great number of jobs and opportunities for many people, while also contributing a large amount of economic impact.

Our state has been very fortunate in attracting individuals to the healthcare community who have such outstanding skills and knowledge which strengthens the industry as a whole. A part of the nursing success is a direct product of Florence-Darlington Technical College and Francis Marion University. They both have experienced and well-versed faculty, which gives the students a greater opportunity to succeed. In turn, these students become the nurses who assist in strengthening the Pee Dee as a medical community.

However, our state is currently going through a shortage of nurses. If this shortage continues, it will mean a clear difference in the quality of medical treatment.

This past legislative session, we addressed the nursing shortage with the Critical Needs Nursing Initiative, S.657. This legislation will play a distinct role in funding additional nursing faculty, nursing scholarships and nursing faculty enhancements. During this year’s state budget, $1 million was included to fund nursing faculty salary enhancements.

Nurses play a very direct role in the medical community–one that South Carolina could not get by without. I was happy to vote for this legislative initiative, which became law in June.

Once again, if I can ever be of any assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours very truly,

Hugh K. Leatherman
South Carolina Senator
District 31, Florence and Darlington Counties

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