Governor Phil Scott and the Agency of Human Services (AHS) has awarded $5.13 million for nursing workforce development at the UVM Health Network, Northwestern Medical Center, Southern Vermont Medical Center, and Cedar Hill Continuing Care Community.
The grants seek to reduce a shortage of clinical educators and financial obstacles for prospective students. The initiative will provide tuition assistance, paid release time or study stipends, and clinical support at the worksite. It aims to draw new students into Vermont nursing programs and ease advanced degree education for existing nurses.
The funds, proposed by the Governor and appropriated through Act 183 and additional federal State Fiscal Recovery funds, will enable healthcare workers to pursue nursing career pathways while maintaining paid employment. The program also provides academic and wraparound support, supports current nurses in becoming eligible clinical educators, and offers financial incentives for eligible healthcare employees to take on clinical educator roles.
“Without this grant, many qualified, competent, caring Licensed Nursing Assistants at Cedar Hill could not afford to advance their careers to become nurses and LPNs,” said Patricia Horn, Community Executive Director of Cedar Hill Continuing Care Community in Windsor.
AHS’ $1.5 million grant to the University of Vermont Health Network will specifically support tuition and other education expenses for Health Network employees enrolling in an accelerated BSN program developed in partnership with Norwich University. This program provides individuals with non-nursing-related training a 15-month pathway to earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN).
The funds will also support a two-year Master of Nursing program launched in partnership with Vermont State University and Norwich University, tailored to individuals who already have a BSN and want to pursue clinical instruction opportunities at all Vermont colleges of nursing.