Thursday, May 2, 2024
5/2/2024
Project Title: American Indians in Nursing: Career Advancement and Transition Scholars Applicant Organization Name: University of Arizona College of Nursing (UA CON) Project Director: Michelle Kahn-John, PhD, RN, PMHNP-BC, GNP Address: 1305 N. Martin Av. Tucson, AZ 85721 Email Address: mkahnjohn@email.arizona.edu Organizational Website Address: www.nursing.arizona.edu/ All tribal healthcare systems in Arizona for the 22 federally recognized tribes/nations currently report extreme nurse shortages, particularly AI/AN registered nurses (RNs). Leaders report the most critical needs are BSN RNs who can move between acute and primary care (PC) and Nurse Practitioners (NPs) in Family and Psych/Mental Health specialties. To meet the cooperative agreement objectives, the UA CON, a highly ranked academic health center nursing college, and its tribal academic and practice/healthcare partners will pursue the following objectives (Obj.). Obj. 1: Increase enrollments and academically support (admit, orient, counsel, mentor, aid financially) AI/AN students, including veterans, for success in three UA CON degree programs. Programs include: (1) an upper-division BSN degree with tribal college partner-articulated pre-requisites, expanded integrative health and primary care (PC) competencies; (2) RN to MS in clinical systems leadership (for RNs with AD degrees) with a BSN exit, if desired; and (3) a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree with FNP or PMHNP specialty (for BSN or higher); DNP degree preferred but with potential UA CON flexibility to meet tribal NP needs through a RN-MS NP certificate. The NP path has PC clinical practice rotations at IHS/tribal clinical partner sites. Additionally, all three degree programs will feature educate-in-place strategies, enhanced learning and leadership opportunities, a focus on rural/remote primary care competencies, interprofessional (IP) practice, and substance disuse syndrome education. Obj. 2: Develop/provide a series of online learning courses/modules that address competencies critical to the delivery of care in AI/NA communities. These will be created as learning resources for degree programs and continuing professional education (CPE); to be offered to tribal practice partners for minimal or no charge. Obj. 3: Establish the Arizona Transformation Team for American Indians in Nursing (ATTAIN) Collaborative to: (1) advance tribal schools/college educational opportunities and quality, (2) link to UA CON and AZ urban community college nursing programs (e.g., Pima and Maricopa Community College); and (3) coordinate AI/AN student recruitment/support and nursing education resources seeking/sharing. Dr. Michelle Kahn-John, Clinical Associate Professor, PMHNP-BC is project director and staff coordinator is Janelle Jensen, both members of the Navajo Nation. Drs. M. Koithan, Associate Dean (Student Support and Community Engagement), and J. Shaver (Director for Academic Partnerships and immediate past Dean) will provide experienced administrative support/mentorship for Dr. Kahn-John. Dr. Koithan brings outreach experience with native students across the UA campus and native communities. Both have built strong student support initiatives to advance diversity at UA CON. Faculty (N. Pool and L. Shurson), experienced in working with students from diverse backgrounds, will serve student coaches/partner liaisons. Ultimately, this plan will result in: (1) higher numbers of BSN RNs and APRN AI/AN to practice in tribal facilities; (2) individually tailored, flexible degree pathways for AD RNs to advance their careers for practice within tribal facilities; (3) interactive, IP learning resources that build competencies in AI/NA healthcare for integration into degree courses, certificate programs, and CPE; and (4) tribal-academic-practice collaborations that leverage quality efforts and expand the AI/AN nursing workforce prepared to improve care of AI/NA populations.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
