SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to bring more nurses to Illinois medical facilities, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton advanced a measure to extend the time nurses can practice while waiting for the review of their license application.

“This measure would allow our nurses to continue to work and provide the care that many people need,” said Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs). “By providing our nurses with the opportunity to learn and build relationships with their patients they will have a better understanding of their work environment by the end of their application process.”

House Bill 5047 would allow advanced practice registered nurses with pending applications to practice under supervision for six months while waiting for the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation’s review of their application. Under current law, this status is revoked after three months. These nurses would need to have completed at least 250 hours of continuing education in their area of certification and have at least 4,000 hours of clinical experience to be applicable for this opportunity.

According to The Illinois Update, over half of registered nurses in Illinois are over the age of 55, with the state being projected to see a nursing shortage of 15,000 by 2025. Glowiak Hilton’s initiative would help combat this shortage and bring more nurses to hospitals within the state.

“We need to prevent understaffing at hospitals and help our dedicated nurses who are ready to work,” said Glowiak Hilton. “Residents who need immediate medical care are counting on us to make the right decisions that recruit nurses to our communities.”

House Bill 5047 passed the Senate Licensed Activities Committee on Wednesday and heads to the full Senate for further consideration.