The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania plans to invest $750,000 in state funds, to be matched by $870,000 in private funds, to benefit nursing education programs statewide.
The $1.6 million Nurse Education Initiative grants will be spread across 26 counties, offering interested residents greater opportunities to pursue nursing careers.
"Like many states, Pennsylvania faces a crisis in the healthcare industry," said Gov. Edward Rendell (D-Penn.). "As our population ages, we need more nurses to provide the care our citizens need and deserve."
The Rendell administration hopes increased funding will expand class sizes, bring in new faculty, and offer incentives for employers to lend nursing staff as educators and instructors.
"We must take steps now to ensure that nurse-education programs have the facilities and faculty they need to train the future nursing workforce," said Rendell.
The grants aim to address challenges identified in a Pennsylvania Center for Health Careers report, which consulted hospital representatives, long-term care organizations, inpatient and outpatient providers, professional associations, and labor and state organizations.
Using national and state-level research, the group identified specific challenges facing Pennsylvania's healthcare industry, and recommended strategies for addressing them.
The new funding should enable institutions to expand educational programs, and provide increased faculty coordination and training services. It also allows nursing programs to hire a faculty member dedicated to incorporating simulation technology into the curriculum.
"By expanding class sizes and hiring additional nurse education faculty, we can enroll and train more nurses and grow the workforce," said Sandi Vito, acting secretary of Pennsylvania's Department of Labor & Industry, who announced the state investment a press conference at the Lancaster General College of Nursing & Health Sciences.
"Part of meeting Pennsylvania's health care needs is making sure that prospective nursing students have room to enroll in courses and pursue the degrees that lead to their intended career," Vito said.
Under Rendell's administration, Pennsylvania's nursing graduates have more than doubled. Registered Nurse graduates increased to 5,937 in 2006 from 2,939 in 2003; and Licensed Practical Nurse graduates increased to 2,347 from 1,236.