HB 5058, An Act Adopting The Nurse Licensure Compact
TESTIMONY OF CONNECTICUT HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION SUBMITTED TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
HB 5058, An Act Adopting The Nurse Licensure Compact
The Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) appreciates this opportunity to submit testimony
concerning HB 5058, An Act Adopting The Nurse Licensure Compact. CHA supports the
legislation.
Connecticut hospitals are critical to their communities. They are confronting the challenges
posed by a post-pandemic healthcare system with an exemplary healthcare workforce that
continues to provide outstanding care. But challenges remain. Hospitals are treating sicker
patients, it continues to be challenging to hire and retain staff, and the financial headwinds are
grave. Through it all, hospitals are steadfast, providing high-quality 24-hour care for everyone
who walks through their doors, focusing on making Connecticut’s healthcare system more
equitable, and driving world-class innovation right here in Connecticut.
Connecticut has an exceptional healthcare workforce that is committed to serving patients
every day. A robust and growing healthcare workforce is required to support healthcare
delivery throughout Connecticut. Unfortunately, the current system is not training or
attracting enough individuals interested in healthcare careers that are in-demand.
Connecticut hospitals are working every day to support their workers and are on the forefront
of creating new ways to keep hospital workers resilient and enhance retention and
recruitment. Providing financial incentives, identifying opportunities for career advancement,
and supporting continuing education are important ways hospitals are supporting the
workforce. Additionally, hospitals are partnering with colleges and technical schools to
develop curriculum and training to support future healthcare needs, and they are identifying
the clinical placements that will be needed to support this enhanced training.
CHA has also built a strong partnership with the Office of Workforce Strategy (OWS), working
together to support initiatives that rapidly retrain Connecticut workers for jobs in healthcare
(CareerConneCT), create regional sector partnerships to enhance collaboration in
communities across the state, and develop healthcare career pathways for high school
students.
Together, we can build on the investments already made to expand educational and training
opportunities, ease the path to careers in healthcare, support workforce retention, and
enhance the safety of current and future healthcare workers. We must maintain our progress
in supporting and growing the healthcare workforce.
Joining the Nurse Licensure Compact, as required by HB 5058, is an important part of
maintaining the momentum Connecticut has built to grow and support the healthcare
workforce. As we consider the best ways to build the nursing workforce of the future, joining
the other 41 states and jurisdictions that are already part of the compact will help make
Connecticut more competitive as we work to attract nurses into the state while embracing new
ways to provide care, such as through telehealth.
As the legislation advances, CHA looks forward to continuing to work with committed parties
to ensure that nurses in Connecticut continue to have access to and the confidentially of the
HAVEN program. Additionally, CHA urges the Committee to address any state agency resource
issues to ensure that background checks can be made in a timely manner so that there is no
delay in licensure for nurses who are the backbone of Connecticut’s healthcare infrastructure.
Participation in licensure compacts is one important tool to address workforce shortage
issues, and CHA looks forward to working with the Committee to couple this action with other
steps to improve the education pipeline, support workforce retention and recruitment, and
improve opportunities for career advancement.
Thank you for your consideration of our position. For additional information, contact CHA
Government Relations at (203) 294-7310.