October 11, 2011

Rockefeller, Manchin Announce Federal Grant for Shepherd University Nursing Education Program

WASHINGTON, D.C – Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin today announced $1,013,781 in federal funding for Shepherd University’s Department of Nursing Education which will provide scholarships, academic support services personnel, and faculty and student professional development.

“Nurses are the backbone of hospitals throughout West Virginia and the country,” said Rockefeller.  “This funding will make it possible to train more West Virginians, particularly those from rural areas, to get the education they need to pursue this important career and help hospitals and patients throughout the state.  I hope we can encourage more students to seek out this field.”

“Supporting the education and training of nurses right here in West Virginia is critical to ensuring that we have quality health care available in our state, especially in our most rural areas,” Manchin said.  “Nurses are essential to the preventative care and treatment West Virginia needs to keep our workforce strong.  And, the more high-quality training we can offer in West Virginia, the more bright minds we have ready to take on challenging careers right here at home.” 

“The HRSA scholarship funding will allow Shepherd to graduate more nursing professionals,” said Shepherd University President Suzanne Shipley.  “This will help alleviate the nursing shortage in West Virginia and nationwide.  The nursing scholarships will allow Shepherd nursing students to remain in school.  HRSA’s mentoring and academic support program component will help students to graduate on time.”

The funding for the Partnership for Academic and Social Student Success (PASSS) Program was awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).  The program aims to improve healthcare quality, reduce health disparities, and increase nursing workforce diversity in the northern Shenandoah Valley.

Because there is a national nursing shortage that is projected to grow through 2025, the PASSS Program at Shepherd University responds to the nation’s need to educate more nurses.  The award will help generate a more diverse nursing workforce, and provide a pathway for disadvantaged and minority groups in this region to enter into the nursing profession that otherwise may not be available.  

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