MSU receives $144K grant for nursing education

Missouri State University is among seven schools statewide receiving state grant funding to expand nursing education throughout the state.
 
The grants, totaling $1 million, are being made through Nixon’s Caring for Missourians initiative, which is funded by revenue generated via nursing licensing fees collected by the Missouri State Board of Nursing, according to a news release from the governor’s office.
 
The program is providing the grants in fiscal years 2012-14, and public universities can apply for grants of up to $150,000 per year to hire faculty, purchase equipment or offer scholarships for nursing programs.

The grant recipients and amounts approved are:

• MSU, $144,134;
• Lincoln University-Jefferson City, $124,115;
• Research College of Nursing-Kansas City, $148,032;
• Truman State University-Kirksville, $150,000;
• University of Missouri-St. Louis, $149,978;
• University of Central Missouri-Warrensburg, $131,266; and
• University of Missouri-Columbia, $150,000.

The Missouri State Board of Nursing reviewed competitive applications submitted by the institutions, the release said. In the third year of the program, the board will again invite applicants and review the grants on a competitive basis.
 
“An education in nursing is a clear pathway to a rewarding and lifelong career, but far too often, too many students were being turned away from nursing education programs because they were at full capacity,” Nixon said in the release. “As our state economy continues to move forward, health care will remain as a growing industry in our state. These Caring for Missourians program grants will assist our nursing schools in educating more students and connecting them with good jobs in every corner of Missouri.”
 
Nixon launched the Caring for Missourians strategic initiative in 2009, with the aim of increasing the number of nurses, physicians, dentists and other health professionals being educated at public colleges and universities in the state.