University of the Pacific’s Entry Level Master of Science in Nursing program has received a $4 million federal grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration to increase the nursing workforce in long-term care while helping economically disadvantaged students pay for their education.

Pacific is one of only five universities nationwide to receive the funding and the only institution in California.

The four-year grant will enable Pacific to give stipends to qualifying students, add faculty and staff, purchase equipment and enhance education in long-term care.

“The award supports workforce expansion through our nursing program and helps address a critical need for highly trained nurses in the Central Valley,” said Gretchen Edwalds-Gilbert, provost and executive vice president of academic affairs. “This award will make it possible to recruit nursing students from rural and underserved communities who plan to return and serve those communities after graduation.”

Fifteen students will receive approximately $40,000 a year for tuition and other expenses. Of the $4 million awarded to Pacific, 60% will go directly to students.

“This will allow us to increase representation among students from disadvantaged backgrounds and strengthen the nursing workforce in healthcare shortage areas, while also adding to our faculty and staff,” said Nicoleta Bugnariu, dean of Pacific’s School of Health Sciences. “This sort of funding is critical in our efforts to continue to be part of health care solutions in the Central Valley and surrounding areas.”

The grant money also will fund an expansion into care for the aging population with learning modules developed for students, faculty and staff at long-term care facilities.

“We will recruit students who are interested in working with older populations,” said Ann Stoltz, director of the nursing program. “In addition, we plan to create curriculum and experiential learning opportunities that center around age-friendly care.”

Pacific also plans to increase the number of students who do clinical rotations at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Stockton.

“We value that partnership very much,” Stoltz said. “Students get valuable experience, and many start their careers locally. Seven students from our first class were hired at St. Joe’s.” 

Other services that will be funded by the grant include expanding tutoring services, mentoring and mental health support for students.

It will also allow the program to expand partnerships with long-term care providers and recruit more nursing students committed to practicing in acute and long-term care settings after they graduate.

Pacific scored highly on its grant proposal, helped by the need for more health care providers in the region and the success of its nursing program. The first cohort of nursing graduates had a 100% pass rate on the national licensure exam.

“We were quite pleased with how positively our proposal was viewed,” said Kris Himmerick, director of assessment, accreditation and sponsored programs for the School of Health Sciences. “We are having funding success this year in many areas of the school. This is a great outcome for students and for helping with nursing workforce needs.”

Over the past year, the School of Health Sciences has been awarded six grants totaling $15 million, with nearly half dedicated to student scholarships. Other recent grants include:

• $2.5 million to expand access to health careers to underrepresented students.
• $6 million to expand social work programs.
• $1 million to support future health care providers.