In an attempt to solve the long-term nursing shortage in Maryland, the state's healthcare leaders last week announced grants of $15.5 million over five years to 17 Maryland-based schools of nursing.
The first grants will increase the number of nurses graduating by 300 students and add 20 faculty positions.
"Less than two years ago we predicted that unless we increased the number of nurses being educated in Maryland we would be short 10,000 nurses by 2016," said Carmela Coyle, president and CEO of the Maryland Hospital Association. "We are committed to maintaining the momentum we need to reach our goal of adding 1,500 students."
Coyle said the fundraising campaign, known as "Who Will Care," has attracted a broad-based group of hospitals, insurance, business, and academic leaders as well as nurses, long-term care providers and private citizens. In all, $60 million from the public and private sector is being sought to fund the initiative.
"With major efforts underway to expand healthcare access, it is likely there will be an even greater need for nurses," said Chet Burrell, president and CEO of CareFirst BlueCross and co-chairman of the fundraising campaign. "We have pledged significant support for the program, and the progress of the campaign brings us a step closer to addressing the question of who will care for the next generation of Marylanders."
Ronald R. Peterson, another campaign co-chairman and president of the Hopkins Health System, said Maryland nursing schools have had to turn away qualified applicants in recent years because there aren't enough faculty available to handle them.
"The number of nurses graduating in Maryland is not keeping pace with the nurses we will need in the next 10 years," said Peterson. "These grants will begin to increase the number of nurses so we won't face a huge chasm when almost half of the nursing workforce retires just as the baby boomer generation's health needs reach their peak."
The leaders acknowledged that the recession makes the nursing shortage appear smaller, but warned against a false sense of security. "The recession only masks the problem," Coyle said.
Peterson said the state would likely face an "exodus" of nurses when the economic downturn ends. He said many nurses are postponing retirement and expanding their hours during the recession.
"We cannot take our eye off of the long-term goal of meeting our future nursing demands," he said.
The 17 nursing schools that will receive the initial grants include community college nursing programs and four-year baccalaureate programs from across Maryland. The schools will use the grant money to add faculty, students and clinical technology.