The University of Arkansas in Fayetteville received a $1 million federal grant for a program to increase the number of advanced practice nurses.
The three-year grant is from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through its Health Resources and Services Administration. Arkansas assistant nursing professor Anna Jarrett will oversee the project for the university’s Eleanor Mann School of Nursing.
“By enhancing existing clinical partnerships and creating new ones, we can place nursing students who are preparing for advanced practice roles as nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists at clinical sites in medically underserved, rural and minority communities,” Jarrett said. “This will be accomplished with a collaborative effort between the nursing school and community clinics, with expansion throughout the state.”
The grant will allow the university to develop a program to partner students with preceptors at clinical sites. The university expects to have partnerships at seven sites to produce 30 graduates for employment in underserved areas.
“The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing is playing a critically important role in helping to make sure all Arkansans receive high-quality health care,” said Tom Smith, dean of the College of Education and Health Professions. “I congratulate the nursing faculty for taking the initiative to secure this funding to provide more highly educated nurses in our state.”
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