WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor                    Ch. 246

(5)  The cost of educating a physician assistant or
nurse practitioner is more than the tuition received and although
less than the cost of educating a physician, it is still
expensive; and

(6)  The number of physician assistants and nurse
practitioners trained in primary care should be increased.]

[(c)] (B)(1) THERE IS A PROGRAM OF SCHOLARSHIPS FOR
NURSING STUDENTS IN NURSING SHORTAGE AREAS ADMINISTERED BY THE
STATE SCHOLARSHIP ADMINISTRATION.

(2) (B)(1) There is a Maryland Physician
Assistant-Nurse Practitioner Training Program that provides
financial support to institutions with training programs for
physician assistants and nurse practitioners in primary care in
this State ADMINISTERED BY THE STATE SCHOLARSHIP ADMINISTRATION
COMMISSION ADMINISTRATION. An institution may participate if
its program:

[(1)] (I) Is accredited by the American Medical
Association, the American Nurses Association, or the National
League of Nursing;

[(2)] (II) Produces graduates eligible to take:

[(i)] 1. The primary care physician assistant
certifying examination of the National Commission on the
Certification of Physician Assistants; or

[(ii)] 2. The primary care in adult and family
nursing practice certifying examination or any other examination
required by the State Board of Examiners of Nurses;

[(3)] (III) Is part of, or has a formal arrangement
with, a medical education center;

[(4)] (IV) Focuses on developing primary care skills
and includes substantial clinical experience in primary care; and

[(5)] (V) Is not a specialty program in a discipline
other than primary care.

[(d)] (C)(1) (I) THE NURSING SCHOLARSHIP AWARD SHALL BE IN
THE AMOUNT OF $2,400 ANNUALLY FOR A FULL-TIME STUDENT OR A
PRORATED AWARD ACCORDING TO THE NUMBER OF CREDIT HOURS TAKEN BY A
PART-TIME STUDENT.

(II) EACH AWARD SHALL BE RENEWABLE ON AN ANNUAL
BASIS UP TO A MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF $9,600, IF THE RECIPIENT:

1. REMAINS A RESIDENT OF THIS STATE;

- 2501 -