$2 Million HRSA Grant Awarded to Loma Linda University School of Nursing

The US Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) recently awarded a $2.05 million, three-year grant to the Loma Linda University School of Nursing to expand and diversify its nurse practitioner education program. The HRSA hopes that diversifying the program will better prepare graduates to work in underserved populations like San Bernardino County. Served by fewer than average primary care physicians and nurse practitioners per person, San Bernardino is experiencing intensified health disparities, lower than average educational attainment, and higher than average unemployment and poverty rates.

Loma Linda and the HRSA believe that nurse practitioners can greatly help solve the healthcare provider shortage experienced in underserved populations. To do so, students need clinical experiences that will prepare them for the needs of culturally diverse and medically underserved populations. With help from the HRSA grant, the School of Nursing will hire additional faculty for their nurse practitioner program, expand their academic partnerships, increase clinical hours for students, increase minority enrollment, and augment the curriculum for both instructors and students.

After taking these steps, Loma Linda and HRSA hope that it will increase the number of Loma Linda nurse practitioner graduates who go on to work in medically underserved areas. After working clinical areas in culturally diverse and underserved areas, students will understand how great the health needs of these populations are and increase likelihood that students choose to continue working in these regions. Competition for the grant was competitive, and Loma Linda University’s School of Nursing was grateful to be the chosen recipient.