• The Department of Labor announced an $80 million fund to support equity and diversification in nursing education.
• Organizations are expected to use the grant money to expand the number of nurse educators and instructors. Or they can use the money to support training and education for middle- to high-skilled nursing jobs.
• This strategy hopes to raise the number of nurses who enter the profession and to slow the nursing shortage.

[hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In October 2022, the Department of Labor (DOL) announced an $80 million fund to award up to 25 grants that support equity and diversification in nursing education. This support comes at a time when schools are reporting a shortage of faculty, clinical sites, preceptors, and budget constraints.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurses are a critical part of the healthcare team and shortages [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493175/”]can lead[/hen-ui-link] to medication errors, poor patient satisfaction, lack of access to care, and higher morbidity and mortality rates. Discover the impact these grants may have on the nursing profession.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]DOL Pledges Grants to Train Instructors, Enhance Nursing Workforce[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]From 2021 to 2031, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that more than 200,000 nurses will be needed. The rate of employment opportunities will also grow at 6%. In an effort to address the need for skilled nurses, the DOL announced they would make $80 million in grant money available to support nursing programs.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The hope is the money will expand the number of nurses entering the profession. The grants, which will be funneled through the Nursing Expansion Grant Program, will be awarded to programs that strive to advance equity and create pathways to increase diversity in the workforce.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The DOL acknowledges the pandemic has placed an unprecedented demand on the nursing workforce. According to one [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/report-90-nurses-considering-leaving-profession-next-year”]Hospital IQ survey[/hen-ui-link], 90% of those responding were considering leaving the nursing profession in the next 12 months. However, while the pandemic has been challenging, 72% said they were experiencing symptoms of burnout long before the pandemic started.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The key drivers for burnout have been manual tasks and administrative burdens, such as updating paperwork or orchestrating patient discharges. These challenges, combined with impending retirement and an aging workforce, have led to a [hen-ui-link href=”/articles/why-is-there-a-nursing-shortage//”]growing shortage of nurses[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The Secretary of Labor, Marty Walsh, commented in the press release that nurses have worked around the clock to care for patients and currently are working with the challenges of a nursing shortage. It is hoped the funding will help bring more individuals into the industry.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This is part of the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/skills-grants/h1-b-skills-training”]H-1B Skills Training Grant[/hen-ui-link] program designed for healthcare groups to work collaboratively to focus on “attracting, training, hiring, and retaining skilled workers, especially from underserved communities.” Attracting historically marginalized and underrepresented populations will increase employment equity and improve diversity.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The current grant money will also emphasize research and evidence-based practices to address barriers to becoming a nurse. The grants represent partnerships between public and private organizations. Programs applying for grant money must propose models that will build partnerships with community organizations and teaching institutions.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What the Money Will Support[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The money is allocated to training nurses to align with the administration’s [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.dol.gov/general/good-jobs”]Good Jobs Initiative[/hen-ui-link], which is administered by the DOL. The idea is to improve job quality and create better access to jobs free from discrimination and harassment, including sharing information on:[/hen-ui-text]

• Worker’s right to minimum wage
• Safe workplaces
• How to bargain collectively with employers

[hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.dol.gov/general/good-jobs/about-us”]initiative has hosted[/hen-ui-link] a summit with 350 cross-sector stakeholders, established Good Jobs Principles, and entered into agreements with the Departments of Transportation, Commerce, and Energy to fund equitable workforce development pathways.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Documentation from the DOL indicates that [hen-ui-link href=”https://leadingage.org/dol-80-million-grant-funding-to-address-shortage-of-nurses/”]nonprofit healthcare organizations[/hen-ui-link] are eligible as lead applicants to use the funds for support services for individuals who might need help with:[/hen-ui-text]

• Childcare
• Dependent care
• Transportation to complete their education

[hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What Does This Mean for Nurses[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The $80M in funding should increase the number of nurses entering the profession by allowing nursing programs to accept more qualified applicants each year. This in turn should slow the nursing shortage and reduce the stress on staff and institutions related to patient care.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The program has two tracks. The first hopes to increase the number of educators and instructors. The second hopes to support postsecondary education for nurses, including [hen-ui-link href=”/registered-nursing/”]registered nurses[/hen-ui-link], licensed practical/vocational nurses, home health aides, [hen-ui-link href=”/cna/”]certified nursing assistants[/hen-ui-link], and personal care aides.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The education and training support for new healthcare professionals and paraprofessionals is a crucial step toward slowing the loss of nurses. When nursing programs are unable to accept qualified applicants, it’s an indication that there are candidates who want to become nurses. However, the shortage is multifactorial and will require a more complex answer than adding more nurses to the field.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Increasing the number of staff can help reduce the burden on seasoned nurses, which may encourage more to stay in their jobs until they reach retirement age. Hospitals and healthcare institutions must also simultaneously address the needs of the current staff, including supporting nurses’ well-being and reducing stress on working nurses, as they await an influx of new nurses.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How to Apply for These Grants[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The deadline to apply for grant funding is January 6, 2023. Applicants can use the online [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=341995″]Grants.gov[/hen-ui-link] portal to apply. Organizations that are eligible include:[/hen-ui-text]

• Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
• Native American tribal governments (federally recognized)
• Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
• Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
• Other organizations as specified under “Additional Information on Eligibility”

[hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Applicants must meet the proposed grant initiative to increase the number of instructors and educators or to train direct care workers to step into middle- to high-skilled nursing occupations. Applicants may receive from $1 million to $6 million to fund their proposed program. The program expects to award 25 grants.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Sources”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]H-1B skills training grants. (n.d.). [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/skills-grants/h1-b-skills-training”]https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/skills-grants/h1-b-skills-training[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Haddad L, et al. (2022). Nursing shortage. [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493175″]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493175[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Price-Carter A. (2022). DOL $80 million grant funding to address shortage of nurses. [hen-ui-link href=”https://leadingage.org/dol-80-million-grant-funding-to-address-shortage-of-nurses/”]https://leadingage.org/dol-80-million-grant-funding-to-address-shortage-of-nurses/[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.healthcareitnews.com/content/bill-siwicki”]Siwicki[/hen-ui-link] B. (2022). Report: 90% of nurses considering leaving the profession in the next year. [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/report-90-nurses-considering-leaving-profession-next-year”]https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/report-90-nurses-considering-leaving-profession-next-year[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The good jobs initiative. (n.d.). [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.dol.gov/general/good-jobs”]https://www.dol.gov/general/good-jobs[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Handbook. (2022). Registered nurses. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item][/hen-ui-accordion]