Nurse Education, Practice, Quality and Retention - Workforce Expansion Program - According to a recent HRSA report, Washington State has the 3rd largest nursing shortage in the country with the most significant shortages experienced in the state’s rural communities. To address this issue the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) proposes to implement the recently developed Rural Nursing Education Program (RNEP) in six rural Washington communities: Othello, Newport, Republic, Ritzville, Davenport, and Grand Coulee. The program aims to graduate and license a total of 20 Registered Nurses (RNs) in four years that will work in these local communities. Washington’s Rural Nursing Education Program (RNEP) is a collaborative effort between Big Bend Community College (BBCC) and six carefully selected community partners. BBCC will play a pivotal role in curriculum development, delivery, and support, utilizing its extensive experience in nursing education and online learning. Community partners will identify students for the program, provide practical training opportunities and provide local support, enriching the educational experience and fostering strong community ties. RNEP’s curriculum will be tailored to the specific challenges and opportunities of rural healthcare, with a focus on acute care, long term care, chronic disease management, and primary care. The program will emphasize cultural competence and community-based care, equipping graduates with the skills and knowledge to effectively serve diverse rural populations. The HRSA grant will enable RNEP to continue to develop and implement this comprehensive program, providing tuition and financial support to students, investing in state-of-the-art online learning platforms, and ensuring robust faculty and preceptor training and support. Our goal is to graduate a new generation of nurses who are not only technically proficient but also deeply committed to improving healthcare outcomes in their own communities. We are seeking a funding priority, under Priority 1: States with the Greatest Nursing Shortages, and Priority 2: Public Entities. Additionally, we are seeking a funding preference under Qualification 1: Substantially Benefits Rural Populations.
