WVU School of Nursing awarded $1.5 million through West Virginia’s Nursing Workforce Expansion Program

MORGANTOWN, W. Va. — The West Virginia University School of Nursing has been awarded $1.5 million through West Virginia’s Nursing Workforce Expansion Program, which is designed to address the state’s nursing shortage through a multifaceted approach to attract, train, and retain nurses in the Mountain State.

Representing a fundamental part of this approach, an award program was established three years ago to fund nursing program expansion projects at colleges, universities, schools of nursing, and career technical education centers across West Virginia.

Thanks to the award, the WVU School of Nursing plans to continue expanding enrollment for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Accelerated BSN programs at the Beckley, Bridgeport, Keyser and Morgantown campus locations.

“We are incredibly grateful for the continued support of the Nursing Workforce Expansion Program,” said Dr. Tara Hulsey, Dean and E. Jane Martin Endowed Professor. “With this support, we will be even more equipped to produce the talented and compassionate nurses who are needed throughout the state.”

Twenty-three grant awards were distributed to nursing programs statewide for the third year of the program. Funded projects build upon progress made in the first two years and are focused on increasing enrollment in pre-licensure nursing programs, timely degree completion and licensure for graduates.

Since its launch, West Virginia’s Nursing Workforce Expansion Program has helped yield a nearly 25 percent increase in filled seats at nursing programs across the state.

The nursing program expansion awards, made possible by funding from the West Virginia Legislature, are administered by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and Community and Technical College System.

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CONTACT: Wendy Holdren
Director of Communications and Marketing
WVU School of Nursing
304-581-1772; wendy.holdren@hsc.wvu.edu