I strongly urge you not to increase the fees for nursing licensure and renewal. Nurses are essential to the healthcare system, and many are already facing financial strain due to student loan debt, rising costs of living, and the demands of the profession itself. Increasing fees would place an unnecessary burden on nursing professionals, especially those working in underserved or rural areas where they are already stretched thin.

Nurses should not be penalized for fulfilling their roles in the healthcare system. I hope the board will consider the financial impact on nurses and seek alternative ways to ensure funding without burdening those who are dedicated to providing care to Virginians.

Thank you for your consideration.