Nursing Workforce Development (NWD) - Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU), a Historically Black College and University (HBCU), requests $2,220,000 over four years through the HRSA Nursing Workforce Diversity (NWD) Program to implement the Advancing Practice-Ready RN to BSN Scholars Project. This project will increase the enrollment, retention, and graduation of registered nurses (RNs) from disadvantaged backgrounds while strengthening the supply of baccalaureate-prepared nurses serving medically underserved communities. The project directly addresses HRSA NWD objectives by: (1) increasing enrollment and graduation of nursing students from disadvantaged backgrounds; (2) establishing comprehensive academic, social, and financial supports to promote educational success; and (3) recruiting and retaining faculty and preceptors to provide mentorship and enhance learning environments. The project will support approximately 16 RN–BSN students annually (64 total), prioritizing working RNs in Leon, Gadsden, Jefferson, Wakulla, and Liberty Counties, all designated Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) and Medically Underserved Areas (MUAs). Advancing these nurses to the BSN level is essential to improving healthcare access and quality. Despite being employed, RN–BSN students face persistent barriers to progression, including financial strain, full-time work obligations, and limited eligibility for traditional financial aid. Institutional data demonstrate low and inconsistent completion rates, with on-time completion as low as 0% in some cohorts, highlighting a critical gap in the RN-to-BSN workforce pipeline. To address these barriers, the project will implement a comprehensive, evidence-based model tailored to working RN–BSN students, including: • Full financial support (tuition, fees, and essential needs) • RN Success Coaches providing individualized, intrusive advising • Structured faculty, peer, and practice-based mentorship • Flexible, workforce-aligned learning modalities Students will also engage in a practice-integrated evidence-based practice/quality improvement (EBP/QI) model, completing mentored projects within their employment settings and partner organizations, including Federally Qualified Health Centers. These experiences will strengthen leadership competencies and contribute to measurable improvements in patient care and health outcomes. The project will achieve measurable outcomes, including increased enrollment of RN–BSN students from disadvantaged backgrounds, retention rates of 90–95%, on-time completion rates of 60–70%, and overall completion rates of 85–90%. At least 70% of graduates will be employed in underserved or HPSA/MUA-designated settings or advance into leadership roles within one year of graduation. Student-led EBP/QI projects will contribute to measurable improvements in clinical care, quality, and health outcomes. By removing financial, academic, and organizational barriers specific to RN–BSN students, the FAMU RN to BSN Scholars Project will strengthen the RN-to-BSN pipeline, expand the diversity of the baccalaureate-prepared nursing workforce, and improve healthcare outcomes in underserved communities.
