The proposed bill, known as the Pathway to Nursing Scholarship Program Act, mandates the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) to create a scholarship program aimed at addressing the critical shortage of nurses in New Jersey. This initiative is designed to incentivize individuals currently employed in the healthcare sector to pursue nursing education by enrolling in approved courses of study. The program will award 100 scholarships, each valued at $10,000, to eligible applicants who meet specific criteria, including residency in New Jersey, current or previous employment in healthcare, enrollment in an approved nursing program, and a commitment to work as a nurse after completing their studies.

To support the implementation of this scholarship program, the bill allocates $1 million from the General Fund to HESAA. The eligibility requirements for applicants include maintaining residency in the state, having a background in the healthcare industry, and providing a written commitment to nursing. This initiative aims to ensure a sufficient supply of trained nursing professionals to deliver quality healthcare services to New Jersey residents.