$2.7 million to support nursing education, retention at JMU

U.S. Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine announced $2,703,156 in federal funding to support nursing education at James Madison University over the next four years. The funding will be used to recruit, admit, and retain students interested in pursuing nursing and working in underserved primary care environments in Page County.

“At a time when Virginia faces a shortage in nurses, this grant will play an important role in supporting students interested in nursing and placing these qualified individuals at primary care facilities in underserved areas,” the Senators said. “We’re thrilled that the Department of Health and Human Services and JMU have shown a commitment to this important endeavor.”

“This collaboration is a great example of our university’s mission in action, as we seek to apply the knowledge and skills learned in the classroom to the real-world challenges of our community partners outside the classroom,” said Jonathan Alger, President of James Madison University.

“The School of Nursing at James Madison University is excited to work with our clinical partners in Page County to develop a nursing workforce prepared to meet the needs of rural and underserved individuals. Our BSN nursing students will greatly benefit from the opportunity to practice in rural, primary care settings in Page County while impacting the needs of the community as well,” said Julie Sanford, Director and Professor of James Madison University’s School of Nursing.

“The GO Virginia Council for Region 8, covering 16 communities in the Shenandoah Valley, including Page County, has been keenly aware of and concerned about the growing demand for a skilled nursing workforce to support the evolving health care sector of our regional economy.  Today’s announcement for James Madison University will reap benefits for the entire region as our federal, state, and local partners come together with our university-based assets to address this critical need,” said George Pace, GO Virginia Region 8 Council Chairman.

The funding was awarded through the Department of Health and Human Services Nurse Education, Practice, Quality and Retention (NEPGQR) Program. The purpose of this grant program is to recruit and train nursing students to practice in community-based primary care teams.