News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, June 2, 2003
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Contact: HRSA Press Office (301) 443-3376
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HHS AWARDS NEARLY $3.5 MILLION TO PROMOTE DIVERSITY IN THE NURSING WORKFORCE
HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today announced the release of 16 grants totaling nearly $3.5 million to support nursing education opportunities for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The grants will fund scholarships or stipends and pre-entry preparation and retention activities for disadvantaged students, including students from racial and ethnic minority groups that are underrepresented among registered nurses. Minority enrollment in the nursing schools receiving grants averages 38 percent, about double the national average of 19 percent.
"These schools and programs have proven their ability to enroll and graduate competent, skilled health care workers, which is important in expanding access to health care for all Americans," Secretary Thompson said. "Today's grants will encourage minority students to enter the field of nursing and help alleviate the critical shortage at this time."
Members of minority groups account for about 30 percent of the total U.S. population, but they represent just over 12 percent of the nursing workforce.
Nursing Workforce Diversity grants are funded through HHS' Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and its Bureau of Health Professions. This year's grantees are all nursing schools or non-profit organizations. Nursing centers, academic health centers, state and local governments and faith-based organizations are also eligible to apply for the grants.
"These programs help ensure that a competent health professions workforce is prepared and available in areas where care is needed most," HRSA Administrator Elizabeth M. Duke said.
Secretary Thompson identified the nation's nursing shortage as a national priority early in his tenure. HHS funding for nursing programs will reach $113 million in fiscal year 2003, $20 million more than last year's total. The Nurse Reinvestment Act of 2002, which President Bush signed in August, authorized six new grant programs to further increase the number of nurses and improve the quality of nursing services. More information is available at http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/nursing/reinvestmentact.htm.
A list of Nursing Workforce Diversity grant awards follows.
Nursing Workforce Diversity Program |
Organization |
City |
State |
Amount |
Univ. of Arkansas for Medical Sciences |
Little Rock |
Ark. |
$166,418 |
Calif. St. Univ. Bakersfield Foundation |
Bakersfield |
Calif. |
$174,298 |
Catholic University of America |
Washington |
D.C. |
$266,760 |
Albany State University |
Albany |
Ga./p> |
$277,757 |
Chicago State University |
Chicago |
Ill. |
$219,403 |
University of Massachusetts Boston |
Boston |
Mass. |
$240,088 |
Wayne State University |
Detroit |
Mich. |
$96,988 |
Curators, University of Missouri |
Kansas City |
Mo. |
$192,425 |
North Carolina Central University |
Durham |
N.C. |
$170,690 |
University of Cincinnati |
Cincinnati |
Ohio |
$205,379 |
Seminole State College |
Seminole |
Okla. |
$243,000 |
Inter American Univ. of Puerto Rico |
San Juan |
P.R. |
$241,447 |
Capital Idea |
Austin |
Texas |
$268,377 |
Hampton University |
Hampton |
Va. |
$346,191 |
University of the Virgin Islands |
Saint Thomas |
V.I. |
$164,872 |
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh |
Oshkosh |
Wis. |
$186,279 |
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TOTAL: |
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$3,460,372 |
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Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are
available at
http://www.hhs.gov/news.
Last Revised: June 2, 2003
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