School of Nursing gets $2.7 million

The James Madison University School of Nursing will receive $2.7 million in federal grant money over the next four years to recruit, admit and retain students interested in pursuing nursing and working in underserved primary care environments in Page County.

Announced by U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine on Wednesday, June 13, the funding was awarded through the Department of Health and Human Services Nurse Education, Practice, Quality and Retention Program.

"At a time when Virginia faces a shortage in nurses, this grant will play an important role in supporting students interested in nursing and placing these qualified individuals at primary care facilities in underserved areas," the senators said. "We're thrilled that the Department of Health and Human Services and JMU have shown a commitment to this important endeavor."

JMU President Jonathan Alger said the collaboration is "a great example of our university's mission in action, as we seek to apply the knowledge and skills learned in the classroom to the real-world challenges of our community partners outside the classroom."

Added Julie Sanford, director of the School of Nursing and a professor of nursing, "The School of Nursing at James Madison University is excited to work with our clinical partners in Page County to develop a nursing workforce prepared to meet the needs of rural and underserved individuals. Our BSN nursing students will greatly benefit from the opportunity to practice in rural, primary care settings in Page County while impacting the needs of the community as well."

The funding will be used to create partnerships with Valley Health Page Memorial Rural Health Centers, and Counseling and Psychological Services to address shortages in primary, mental health, and substance/opioid abuse treatment in Page County within rural health clinics. During the four-year funding period, 56 scholars will receive training in cultural competency, poverty and diversity simulation, and addiction treatment strategies as part of their BSN training, to prepare them to work in rural primary health care.

"The GO Virginia Council for Region 8, covering 16 communities in the Shenandoah Valley, including Page County, has been keenly aware of and concerned about the growing demand for a skilled nursing workforce to support the evolving health care sector of our regional economy.  Today's announcement for James Madison University will reap benefits for the entire region as our federal, state, and local partners come together with our university-based assets to address this critical need," said George Pace, GO Virginia Region 8 Council chairman.