Nursing Workforce Development (NWD) - Total Funds Requested: $2,155,798 Funding Preference: Requested Purpose: The University of South Alabama (USA) College of Nursing (CON) EMPOWERED Program: Expanding Mentorship, Pipeline Development, Opportunity, Workforce Readiness, Experience, and Retention through Education, will increase recruitment, retention, graduation, and employment of nursing students from disadvantaged backgrounds in order to improve the health of South Alabama and the entire Gulf Coast region. EMPOWERED provides a comprehensive, systems-based approach to identify and assess educational barriers across the educational continuum, from recruitment and enrollment through graduation and workforce entry. EMPOWERED includes evidence-based strategies to address educational barriers through an integrated system of pipeline recruitment, scholarships, stipends, mentoring, academic support, simulation-based learning, workforce development activities, and clinical experiences designed to improve persistence, graduation, and workforce readiness. EMPOWERED’s strategic outreach plan focuses on strengthening USA CON's partnerships with key stakeholders at the local, county, and state levels to enhance recruitment, retention, and nursing workforce development in rural and medically underserved communities (MUCs). We will conduct targeted outreach initiatives to recruit students from underserved communities who are likely to return and serve in rural and/or MUCs. We will engage with state and county nursing and health agencies, healthcare organizations, and community leaders to expand recruitment pipelines, secure funding, and enhance nursing workforce development initiatives. Collaborations with community colleges will foster academic pathways, transfer agreements, and support student retention. By leveraging these partnerships, we aim to strengthen our impact on the nursing workforce, expand educational opportunities for disadvantaged students with financial needs, and enhance healthcare access in rural and MUCs. The project will also employ strategies to recruit and retain nursing faculty and preceptors utilizing mentorship, faculty training, and workforce development activities. Workforce development activities may include career exploration and workforce-readiness workshops; professional communication and leadership development; transition-to-practice and professional role socialization; and exposure to varied nursing career pathways and specialty practice areas. These activities are designed to increase students' confidence and preparedness as they transition from nursing education to professional nursing practice. Project Goal: Increase the number of individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds who enroll in and graduate from nursing degree programs, using evidence-based strategies such as pipeline programs or comprehensive support services. Project Objectives: (1) Increase the number of nursing students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are enrolled in and graduate from nursing degree programs. (2) Establish or enhance academic, social, and financial supports to increase educational success for nursing students from disadvantaged backgrounds. (3) Recruit and retain faculty and preceptors to provide student mentorship and enhance learning environments. This project specifically requests a Funding Preference under Section 805 of the PHS Act, on the basis of substantially benefiting medically underserved populations. USA CON is located in a federally designated Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA); about half of the USA nursing students are from HPSA areas; most clinical facilities are HPSA; and many graduates work in MUAs.
