Nurse education, practice, quality and retention - workforce expansion program - rural communities face more significant nursing shortages than the national average, impacting the quality and…

The Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration Bureau of Health Professionals awarded Southern Illinois University Edwardsville $2 million on September 30, 2025, under the Nurse Education, Practice Quality and Retention Grants program (CFDA 93.359).

The recipient will expand nursing workforce capacity in rural and long-term care settings through recruitment outreach programs in middle and high schools, intentional diversification efforts, and funding opportunities for students in accelerated post-baccalaureate nursing programs in collaboration with community colleges, universities, and clinical partners. The project will enhance educational experiences through clinical rotations in long-term care and critical access healthcare delivery centers, develop training programs addressing critical thinking, social determinants of health, leadership and communication skills, and incorporate virtual reality and hands-on simulation experiences. The work targets rural communities experiencing more significant nursing shortages than the national average and addresses limited financial resources and knowledge gaps about pathways to nursing degree completion.

The period of performance runs through September 29, 2029. Performance takes place in Illinois. The assistance type is a Project Grant.

Nurse education, practice, quality and retention - workforce expansion program - rural communities face more significant nursing shortages than the national average, impacting the quality and accessibility of healthcare services. Evidence shows that students from rural areas often return to their own communities upon degree completion, making IT crucial to recruit and retain students from these locations. Limited financial resources and lack of knowledge about pathways to nursing degree completion contribute to these shortages. Additionally, there is a need for increased knowledge in long-term care, geriatric support, and community nursing to better serve rural and adjacent populations. This proposed project has two specific aims with several objectives to achieve these aims successfully. Aim 1: expand nursing workforce capacity in rural and long-term care settings. Objectives to address aim 1 include: 1) collaborate with community colleges, universities, and clinical partners in rural areas for recruitment outreach programs in middle and high schools to promote multiple pathways to nursing degree completion. 2) implement intentional recruitment efforts focusing on diversifying the nursing workforce. 3) provide funding opportunities for students in the accelerated post-baccalaureate nursing program. Aim 2: enhance educational experiences through training and experiential learning activities focused on rural and long-term care readiness. Objectives to address aim 2 include: 1) collaborate with community colleges, universities, and clinical partners in rural and long-term care settings to provide clinical rotations in long-term care and critical access healthcare delivery centers. 2) develop and implement training programs in collaboration with multiple clinical partners and colleges that enhance critical thinking, understanding of social determinants of health, leadership, and communication skills. 3) incorporate virtual reality and hands-on simulation experiences into the curriculum with an emphasis on community and geriatric care. By addressing these critical needs, the project aims to build a robust and diverse nursing workforce equipped to deliver high-quality healthcare in rural and under-served regions. Through collaborative efforts, targeted recruitment, and comprehensive educational support, this initiative will contribute to the sustainability and effectiveness of healthcare delivery in these communities. Funding priority #2 and funding preference - qualification #1 requested.