The bill establishes a rural nursing education program aimed at addressing the shortage of skilled registered nurses in rural and underserved communities in Washington State. It recognizes the barriers faced by rural nursing students, such as limited access to affordable childcare, transportation issues, and inadequate internet services. The program, created through collaboration among health care stakeholders, will provide distance nursing education and foster partnerships between academic institutions and rural health care providers. It aims to prepare prelicensure nursing students to live and work in their rural communities, initially offering associate degree education with plans for future program expansions.

The bill outlines the administration of the program, including participant selection criteria and collaboration with various health care partners to develop tailored nursing education models. It mandates participating hospitals and institutions of higher education to actively recruit and support potential nursing students. Additionally, the bill requires the department to report on the program's demographics and outcomes, starting with a preliminary report by November 1, 2026, and biennial reports thereafter. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and is deemed necessary for the immediate preservation of public health and safety.