Nurse Education, Practice, Quality and Retention - Workforce Expansion Program - Wenatchee Valley College (WVC), located in North Central Washington (NCW), is a two-year comprehensive community college dedicated to meeting the educational and cultural needs of its communities through high-quality education and workforce development initiatives. The WVC Service District (WVCSD) encompasses a vast 10,000 square mile area which spans three predominantly rural counties. This geographical region is home to a diverse population, including a large number of underrepresented residents, a high percentage of migrant workers, and a significant number of first-generation students. WVC’s Nursing Program prepares students to practice professional nursing in a variety of settings. A hallmark of this program is its responsiveness to the evolving needs of the community. By continuously updating its curriculum and clinical training opportunities, WVC ensures that graduates are well-prepared to address current healthcare challenges, particularly in underrepresented and underserved areas. Notably, several of WVC’s clinical sites are located in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA) and Medically Underserved Areas (MUA), providing students with critical hands-on experience in the communities that need it the most. Research by the Washington State Hospital Association indicates that nursing shortages across Washington state (WA) have led to delays in care and unreasonable workloads. Despite efforts to increase staffing, these measures have not been sufficient to meet the increased patient demand. WVC’s proposed project, Nursing the Future: Educating the Next Generation of Nurses , is designed to respond to the critical nursing shortage in WA by expanding the nursing workforce within the WVCSD. This project will meet the goals of the Workforce Expansion Program by: 1) Increasing access to nursing education in underserved areas, 2) providing a broad range of culturally relevant services and resources, and 3) enhancing program curriculum by incorporating best practices with simulation equipment and training. This targeted approach will not only address the immediate healthcare needs of the region but also foster sustainable growth in the local nursing profession, ultimately contributing to the long-term health and well-being of rural, underserved communities in WA. By expanding the nursing workforce, the project seeks to alleviate the severe shortage of healthcare professionals, improve patient outcomes, and strengthen the overall healthcare infrastructure in these rural communities. FUNDING PRIORITIES AND PREFERENCES: This project meets the criteria for both funding priorities. 1. States with the Greatest Nursing Shortage and 2. Public Entities. This project also meets following funding preference: Qualification 2: Substantially benefits underserved populations.
