Thursday, April 3, 2025
4/3/2025
Indians in Nursing: Career Advancement and Transition Scholars II (INCATS II) - All tribal healthcare systems in Arizona for the 22 federally recognized tribes/nations currently report nurse shortages, particularly AI/AN registered nurse (RNs). Critically needed are BSN RNs who can move between acute and primary care and Nurse Practitioners (NPs) in Family, Psych/Mental Health and Nurse Midwifery specialties. To meet AI/AN RN growth goals, the UA CON, a highly ranked academic health center college with its tribal partners proposes to: Obj. 1: Develop and implement the CC-UA Collaborative Nursing Education Program (CNEP) as a new and more affordable path to the UA College of Nursing (CON) bachelor of science nursing degree (BSN). This will occur through unique partnerships with state and tribal community colleges (CCs) that have associate nursing degree programs. Obj. 2: Expedite nursing degree success (recruit, select, support, graduate) for AI/AN/Veteran students upon UA direct entry into BSN, Master’s entry to Professional Nursing (MEPN), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)] or collaborative CNEP entry (BSN) (Obj. 1) programs. Support includes financial, academic and career readiness and advancement. Obj. 3: Develop and implement indigenous-centric learning modules for nursing career resiliency that amplify: 1) student career readiness and 2) RN career-hardiness (retention). These are for versatile utilization within university and community college programs and within RN continuing professional or staff development programs at tribal practice agencies. Obj. 4: Prime recruitment of future AI/AN students into a nursing career path (youth outreach) and expand advanced practice nursing indigenous immersion learning opportunities, facilitated by the Wassaja Carlos Montezuma Center, UA College of Medicine. Dr. T. Godfrey, Clinical Associate Professor, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, member of the Navajo Nation, is project director for INCATS I and will continue for INCATS II. Dr. P Jenkins, PhD, RN, CNE, Associate Dean, Student and Academic Affairs will provide experienced administrative support for Dr. Godfrey, her team and the scholars. Dr. J. Young, DNP, PMHNP-BC, FNP-C is an expert in historical and emotional trauma-informed care. She will facilitate the resilience-building modules (Obj. 3) and coach INCATS II scholars. Dr. S. Torabi, DNP, CRNA, member of Muscogee (Creek) Nation, leader in nursing anesthesiology and already doing youth outreach, will serve as INCATS II student scholar career resiliency advisor and continue youth outreach. Dr. C. Bell Andrews, JD, MPH, MBA, MA, member of the Tohono O’odham Nation, Executive Director, Wassaja Center for Native American Health has partnered to facilitate Obj. 4 (youth outreach, expanded DNP Indigenous practice sites). Emily Shoteen Moreno Si'al, B.S., B.A., Alaskan Native heritage, will continue as coordinator. Ultimately, this plan will result in: 1) more BSN RNs and APRN AI/ANs to practice in tribal facilities; 2) access to a less costly BSN degree pathway; 3) flexible, interactive, practical learning resources to build resilience against the high demands of nursing clinical practice; tailored for AI/AN students and practicing RNs; 4) an enlarged pipeline of indigenous students to choose nursing and healthcare careers, and 5) more co-beneficial tribal-academic-practice collaborations. These outcomes will leverage our goals to expand the AI/AN and veteran nursing workforce, congruent with reducing disparities and improving healthcare for 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).