Department of Health and Human Services Grants $15.5 Million to Expand Nursing Base

As the shortage of qualified nurses is expected to grow from its current rate of 6% to an estimated 29% by 2020, the department of Health and Human Services announced it will grant $15.5 million to targeted health care and educational institutions to promote the nursing profession. Recipients of the grants include 62 universities, colleges, nursing schools, medical centers and other health care institutions that are in a position to increase the supply and distribution of qualified nursing personnel.

The majority of the funds - $10.1 million among 38 grants – will target programs in support of the Nurse Education, Practice and Retention Program. This program is designed to bridge the gap between the supply and demand of qualified nurses through qualitative and quantitative measures such as increasing enrollments in nursing education programs; developing internship and residency programs; promoting cultural competency among nurses; improving health care access to medically-underserved populations; and improving nurse retention rates.

The balance of the funds - $5.4 million among 24 grants – will target programs in support of the Nursing Workforce Diversity Program. This program is designed to encourage potential candidates from disadvantaged backgrounds to enter a nursing program by providing student scholarships and stipends; assisting with pre-entry preparation; and developing nurse-retention activities.

Source: Nursing Spectrum summary of a Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) press release dated 7/22/04.