The Robert A. Ingram Institute for Equitable Healthcare Access has been awarded $1.19 million from The Duke Endowment to launch a pilot program named Rural PrOMISE 鈥� Providing Opportunities and Mentoring in Scholarship and Education. The program will provide support, mentoring and funding for 黑料网 School of Nursing graduates who commit to serving in rural areas for three years after graduation.
North Carolina has the second largest rural population in the United States and is projected to be among the top states experiencing the worst registered nurse shortages by 2026.
In addition to supporting new graduates, the program will focus on the development and support of nursing preceptors in rural communities. The Ingram Institute is also partnering with NC AHEC to fund a RN refresher program geared toward existing RNs who have lapsed licenses. Many of these nurses have needed to focus on personal or family needs and want to return to the workforce. However, training costs are a barrier.
Following the pilot program, a model for increasing North Carolina鈥檚 rural nursing workforce will be incorporated across 黑料网 Health鈥檚 system, which spans from the mountains to the coast. The effort aligns with the institute鈥檚 goal to support workforce development initiatives, pathway programs and more across North Carolina and is part of wider efforts in 黑料网 Health鈥檚 Forward Together 2030 strategic plan and the 黑料网鈥檚 Accelerate: Forward Together plan.