West Virginia University Parkersburg receives grant for nursing program expansion

West Virginia University Parkersburg has received a $566,000 grant from West Virginia’s Nursing Workforce Expansion Program to attract and retain nursing students. The grant funding, which is administered by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and Community and Technical College System, will be put to use to implement new strategies and initiatives, upgrade technology, and provide faculty development opportunities in the name of expanding the university’s nursing program.

According to an article on West Virginia University Parkersburg’s website, Dr. Torie Jackson, the university’s president, was quoted as saying of the grant award, “It’s especially exciting for us to receive the nursing expansion grant funds this year, because WVU Parkersburg was able to provide legislation tours of our nursing simulation labs during the September interims. We believe that they were impressed with our facilities and pleased with the way the dollars for this program have been spent. We are thankful for another year of funding to continue enhancing nursing opportunities in our region.”

The state of West Virginia continues to face a nursing shortage, making it more important than ever that the West Virginia University Parkersburg nursing program brings more students into the program and keeps them interested in continuing to pursue a nursing education and career. West Virginia’s Nursing Workforce Expansion Program was established three years ago with the goal of strengthening the nursing programs at colleges and universities throughout the state and since its launch has helped bring about a 25% increase in nursing program enrollments statewide.

The grant funding will give the university’s nursing program the opportunity to make many key improvements and enhancements that will continue to drive the state’s nursing workforce. One of the initiatives will support faculty development to ensure all instructors have the most up to date information to pass on to their students. New classroom technologies and textbooks have been purchased to better facilitate student learning and engagement. New technologies include computers, pediatric IV arms, and scannable practice medications.

Additionally, the nursing program at West Virginia University Parkersburg has sponsored the Summer Teen Medical Explorers Academy to increase awareness of and exposure to nursing careers and to provide mentorship opportunities. It has also purchased supplies to help with recruitment at local events like job fairs.

Kathy Frum, the dean of Nursing & Health Sciences, expressed her gratitude for the grant funding. She said, “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the West Virginia Legislature for providing the essential funding that enables us to increase enrollment, actively recruit students into our programs, and offer exceptional support to our current students. Your commitment to education and workforce development is vital to our mission.”

For more information about West Virginia University Parkersburg, visit the school’s website.