Rep. Natalie Zeleznikar, R-Two Harbors, Minnesota, has proposed a $500K injection to bolster a program to train more nurses in the state. The Center for Nursing Equality and Excellence at the University of Minnesota School of Nursing, or CNEE, aims to address a "nursing workforce crisis" that is affecting patient care, workforce access, and services across the state without action. The Department of Employment and Economic Development predicts that Minnesota will add about 3,600 new registered nurses to the workforce by 2032, but expects about 26,800 additional openings due to worker retirement or other reasons. The Minnesota Nurses Association also supports the bill, stating that while it is a small start, it is essential to keep highly educated nurses in workforce.