Nurse education, practice, quality and retention - workforce expansion program - applicant name: university of south alabama college of nursing address: 5721 USA drive north, hahn 3073, mobile, AL…

The Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration Bureau of Health Professionals awarded the University of South Alabama College of Nursing $3.986 million on September 30, 2025, under the Nurse Education, Practice, Quality and Retention Grants program (CFDA 93.359) to design, implement, and evaluate the LAUNCH program.

LAUNCH promotes undergraduate baccalaureate nursing students' clinical practice in rural and underserved community health settings through additional dedicated, specialized clinical training in acute and long-term care beyond standard curricula requirements, specialized simulation training, and academic, financial, and social support resources. The program aims to increase the supply and geographic distribution of BSN graduates experientially prepared to address critical nursing shortages in rural and underserved communities and to foster post-graduation employment in acute and long-term care settings. Project objectives include recruitment and retention of BSN-prepared students, expansion of clinical training opportunities in rural and underserved acute and long-term care settings, promotion of employment in those settings post-graduation, and an increase in the number of preceptors and faculty available to train future BSN students.

The award obligated $998,745 for the initial year of the four-year project period running September 30, 2025, through September 29, 2029. Performance occurs in Alabama. Project Director Leigh Minchew, PhD, DNP, RN, WHNP-BC, PMHNP, can be reached at 251-445-9488 or lminchew@southalabama.edu.

Nurse education, practice, quality and retention - workforce expansion program - applicant name: university of south alabama college of nursing address: 5721 USA drive north, hahn 3073, mobile, AL 36688-0002 project director: leigh minchew, PHD, DNP, RN, whnp-BC, pmhnp contact