Skip to main content
HR 4231 108th Congress House

Department of Veterans Affairs Nurse Recruitment and Retention Act of 2004

Official title: To provide for a pilot program in the Department of Veterans Affairs to improve recruitment and retention of nurses, and for other purposes.

Introduced: April 30, 2004 See on congress.gov
Armed Forces and National Security AdvertisingBlindCongressCongressional reporting requirements
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Dental careDisabledEducationElectronic government informationEmployee selectionFederal employeesFederal officialsGovernment Operations and PoliticsGovernment contractorsGovernment publicityHealthHigher educationHours of laborInternetLabor and EmploymentLeave of absenceLegislationNursesNursingNursing educationParamedical personnelPhysiciansRecruiting of employeesSalariesScience, Technology, CommunicationsSick leaveSoldiers' homesVeterans' hospitalsVeterans' medical careVeterans' rehabilitation
Sign in to write a letter Sign in to watch
This bill died when the 108th Congress ended
It never became law before the 108th Congress (2003–2004) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 19 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Sep 30, 2004
Received in the Senate.
Sep 30, 2004
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Sep 30, 2004
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 411 - 1 (Roll no. 483). (text: CR 9/30/2004 H7797-7798)
Sep 30, 2004
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H7887-7888)
Sep 29, 2004
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Sep 29, 2004
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4231.
Sep 29, 2004
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7797-7802)
Sep 29, 2004
Mr. Smith (NJ) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Jun 9, 2004
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 312.
Jun 9, 2004
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 108-538.
May 19, 2004
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Voice Vote.
May 19, 2004
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
May 13, 2004
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
May 13, 2004
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
May 6, 2004
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
May 6, 2004
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Apr 28, 2004
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Apr 28, 2004
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E701-702)
Apr 28, 2004
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 1
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Sep 30, 2004 House · vote #483 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended Passed 411–1 See who voted →
 Ask about this bill AI · grounded in the bill text

Have a question about what this bill does? Ask in plain English; the answer is drawn from the bill's actual text and official record, and it'll tell you when something isn't in the text rather than guess.

AI answers can be imperfect; always confirm against the full bill text.

 Latest action September 30, 2004

Received in the Senate.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Department of Veterans Affairs Nurse Recruitment and Retention Act of 2004 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to designate a health care service region, or section within such a region, in which health care facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs are adversely affected by a shortage of qualified nurses, and to conduct a pilot program in such region or section on the use of innovative human-capital tools and techniques in the recruitment of qualified nurses for such positions. Requires the Secretary, as part of the pilot program, to: (1) identify and use private-sector nurse recruitment practices that have proven effective; and (2) revise procedures and systems to reduce the length of the hiring process. Requires a report from the Secretary to the congressional veterans' committees on the extent to which the pilot program achieved the goal of improving the recruitment and retention of nurses in Department health-care facilities.

Authorizes the Secretary, with respect to appointed nurses, to provide: (1) a three 12-hour day work schedule, with authorized overtime after a 36-hour workweek; (2) a seven day, 10-hour work schedule for each two-week period, with authorized overtime after working 80 hours within such period; and (3) a nine-month work period with three months off, with such nurses paid at 75 percent of the full-time rate.

Includes dental hygienists, dental assistants, and blind rehabilitation specialists within those positions which the Secretary is authorized to make appointments.

Authorizes the Secretary to make payments to States to assist State homes in the hiring and retention of nurses and the reduction of nursing shortages at State homes. Limits payment amounts. Requires, from each State home receiving such assistance, an annual report to the Secretary on the use of such funds.

Removes the requirement that the Department's Under Secretary for Health be a doctor of medicine.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • HR 4020 Procedurally related State Veterans Home Nurse Recruitment Act of 2004
 Bill text 4 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Republican 1
R
Smith, Christopher H.
New Jersey · Apr 30, 2004
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 4231: Department of Veterans Affairs Nurse Recruitment and Retention Act of 2004. 108th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-4231/
MLA
"H.R. 4231: Department of Veterans Affairs Nurse Recruitment and Retention Act of 2004." 108th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-4231/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 4231, 108th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-4231/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 4231: Department of Veterans Affairs Nurse Recruitment and Retention Act of 2004](https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-4231/)
Report a problem