Indiana law requires licensed practical nursing programs to only accept people who have completed their high school diploma — but lawmakers say removing that requirement could address nursing shortages in the state. A Senate committee moved a bill forward to make it easier for high school students to enroll in those programs.

Indiana has a nursing shortage, but nursing schools say they don't have enough faculty to educate the amount of students the state needs. The Senate passed a bill that simplifies nursing instructor requirements and eliminates a barrier for nurses from other countries to work in Indiana.

Trauma-informed care could be the first state-mandated continuing education requirement for registered nurses and licensed practical nurses. A Senate committee moved forward a bill that would create the one-time training requirement for nurses in Indiana.

Indiana needs more nursing school graduates to meet the states current health care needs, but nursing schools say they don't have enough faculty. A House committee passed a bill that would remove the clinical experience requirement for instructors to help meet those needs.