The board of nursing may solicit and accept grants and services to develop and maintain a program that addresses patient safety and health care issues related to the supply of and demand for nurses and other health care workers. The board shall not solicit or accept a grant or service that interferes with the board’s independence or objectivity.

All money received by the board under this section shall be deposited into the nursing special issue fund which is hereby created in the state treasury. The board shall use money in the fund to pay the costs it incurs in implementing this section.