Nurse Workforce Receives $19M Boost from White House

• Five education institutions will receive more than $19 million in federal awards to help increase the nurse workforce in acute and long-term care settings.
• Three universities and two community colleges will receive their funding over a four-year period to help increase the acute and long-term care workforce. 
• The funds are part of nearly $100 million issued through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

Five education institutions will receive more than $19 million in federal awards to help increase the nursing workforce in acute and long-term care settings.

The funds are part of nearly $100 million issued through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The agency is under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and intended to “strengthen the health workforce and improve access to quality care in high-need areas across the country” with the funding, a news release stated.

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said in the release that it’s “especially important” to address the shortages in underserved and rural communities. 

Where is the Money Going?

Three universities and two community colleges will each receive a four-year award through the Nurse Education, Practice, Quality and Retention – Workforce Expansion Program: 

• Oregon Health & Science University, $4 million 
• University of the Pacific (Stockton, California), $4 million 
• Regents of the University of Michigan, $3.9 million 
• Technical System College of Georgia, $3.7 million 
• Southern Crescent Technical College (Georgia), $3.9 million

Each institution represents a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA), though the severity varies by location.

Only one county in Oregon is considered to not have a primary care shortage, according to the most recent data from the Rural Health Information Hub (RHIH). All but nine Michigan counties are fully or partially designated as HPSAs for primary care, including the county that houses the Regents of the University of Michigan.

Similarly, all but 16 of Georgia’s counties are either fully or partially designated as HPSAs for primary care.

San Joaquin Valley, where the University of the Pacific Stockton campus is located, is also deemed a partial HPSA for primary care. 

Reflective of the Nurse Workforce

A recent survey estimated that the United States will see a healthcare worker shortage of 100,000 by 2028. It also projected a nationwide nurse practitioner shortage alongside a registered nurse surplus in a majority of the country.

Linda Couch, senior vice president of policy for LeadingAge, told McKnight’s Senior Living that the organization appreciated the White House initiative.

“Developing the aging services workforce is more important than ever: America’s population is aging rapidly and demand for services is continuing to grow,” she told the media outlet. “Without staff, there is no care. Our nation and its policies must value and support aging services professionals with a range of immediate actions, including education and training.”

A State of the Sector report from the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living found that nearly all nursing homes have job openings — 89% of which are seeking RNs. The report also found that 72% of nursing homes say their staffing is lower than pre-pandemic levels.

Nearly 3,000 facilities in rural areas are considered HPSAs, according to HRSA data. This most recent round of government funding is the latest move toward rectifying those shortages. 

Larger Healthcare Initiatives

The HRSA awards are part of a $100 million initiative that also includes funds for primary care physicians in high-need areas, pediatric mental healthcare, and specialists and community providers to address the nation’s opioid crisis. 

The announcement of the awards coincided with an HHS Health Workforce Roundtable. 

The Bottom Line

More than $19 million was awarded to community colleges and universities as part of the White House’s latest move to improve healthcare in the United States. Three universities and two community colleges will receive their funding over a four-year period to help increase the acute and long-term care workforce. 

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