able969

First of all I would really want to know why there is a shortage of nurses? Are there no American Nurses who would fulfill the jobs? If there is a shortage, healthcare shortages cannot be left as is and it is critical that it needs to be attended to, either by hiring local resources or foreign. If the current situation is "students waiting for entry into nursing schools" and assuming that there is an immediate grant for getting all students in, you still would be waiting 3 to 4 years for all of them to come into workstream. Assuming that by 2011 there would be vacancies for 116000 nurses, there still would be shortages even with graduates of the next 3 consecutive years. so now the question comes is, how do we take care of the current situation? these are exerpts from 5924 section 2) LIMITATION ON NUMBER OF VISAS- The Secretary of State may not issue more than 20,000 immigrant visa numbers in any one fiscal year (plus any available visa numbers under this paragraph not used during the preceding fiscal year) to principal beneficiaries of petitions pursuant to paragraph (1). sec 833 Establishment- There is established in the general fund of the Treasury a separate account which shall be known as the `Domestic Nursing Enhancement Account.' Notwithstanding any other provision of law, there shall be deposited as offsetting receipts into the account all fees collected under section 106(f) of the American Competitiveness in the Twenty-first Century Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-313; 8 U.S.C. 1153 note). Nothing in this subsection shall prohibit the depositing of other moneys into the account established under this section. It seems to be a good bargain atleast to me..

Emergency Nursing Supply Relief Act - Amends the American Competitiveness in the Twenty-first Century Act of 2000 to lift the numerical limitations for employment based immigrants (and accompanying family members) for nurses and physical therapists until September 30, 2011, subject to a cap. I dont know whether this bill has already been mentioned in the blogs. I visited http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_5924.html to read the description Anyone know the status of the bill at present... regards Abel