H.R. 392: Providing Real-world Education and Clinical Experience by Precepting Tomorrow’s Nurses Act

This bill, titled the Providing Real-world Education and Clinical Experience by Precepting Tomorrow’s Nurses Act, aims to create a tax credit for individuals who serve as nurse preceptors. Here are the main components of the bill:

Tax Credit for Nurse Preceptors

The bill proposes a tax credit of $2,000 for eligible nurse preceptors. To qualify for this tax credit, a nurse must:

• Be recognized as an eligible nurse preceptor, which requires serving at least 200 hours in a designated health professional shortage area during the taxable year.
• Provide supervision and mentorship in a clinical setting to nursing students or newly hired licensed nurses.

Definitions

The bill includes specific definitions to clarify who qualifies as:

• Eligible Nurse Preceptor: A licensed registered nurse or healthcare provider who meets the aforementioned hourly requirement.
• Nurse Preceptor: A nurse responsible for mentoring and providing hands-on training to nursing students or new nurses.
• Relevant Academic Institution: An accredited school of nursing that a nursing student is enrolled in.
• Newly Hired: A nurse who is within their first six months of employment.
• Minimum Required Hours of Preceptorship: The 200 hours defined earlier for the tax credit eligibility.

Certification Requirements

To receive the tax credit, eligible nurse preceptors must obtain a certification that confirms their completion of the required hours. This certification can come from:

• The partnering academic institution, detailing the hours worked with the nursing student.
• The clinical site where the preceptor is employed, confirming the hours spent with newly hired nurses.

Nurse preceptors can obtain multiple certifications from different institutions to meet the hour requirement.

Duration of the Program

The bill specifies that the tax credit will apply for taxable years starting after December 31, 2025, and will continue until December 31, 2032.

Reporting and Evaluation

Beginning in 2026 and annually thereafter until 2032, the Secretary of the Treasury must provide reports to Congress that include:

• The number of taxpayers claiming the credit.
• Total hours served by preceptors in a given year.
• Geographic distribution of taxpayers claiming the credit.
• Any other information deemed relevant.

Moreover, by June 30, 2033, an evaluation must be submitted to Congress assessing the effectiveness of the credit in increasing the number of nurse preceptors in the U.S.

Conclusion of Tax Credit

The tax credit for nurse preceptors will not be applicable after December 31, 2032.

Relevant Companies

• HCA Healthcare (HCA) - As a major healthcare provider, HCA Healthcare may be influenced by changes in nurse preceptorship due to its staffing needs and educational partnerships.
• UnitedHealth Group (UNH) - This health insurance company could be impacted if the availability of qualified nurses increases through enhanced preceptorship, affecting its network of healthcare providers.
• Virtu Financial (VCIT) - With a significant role in healthcare stock and investment, changes in nurse staffing and education may influence its healthcare investments.