Alluvion Health receives $3 million grant for nursing workforce in northcentral Montana
Alluvion Health is set to launch a program it says will help address Montana’s need for nurses, as one of 25 health care providers nationwide to receive a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor.
Alluvion will receive up to $3 million over five years from the Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration toward its “Next Nurse” program, which aims to “offer enhanced support, resources, and increased access to training and degree advancement for potential and current nurses in Northcentral Montana,” according to a release.
The program looks to work with Alluvion’s partners to help nurses of all levels, from medical assistants to advanced practice nurse practitioners, to advance their careers as well as increase support for preceptors, or experienced clinicians who train and supervise students during clinical rotations.
“Next Nurse” also aims to support nurses in rural clinics, increase diversity in accessing a nursing education and aid recruitment and retention of nurses in Great Falls and the surrounding areas.
Leesha Ford, the director of clinical education for Alluvion, said in a statement that the Department of Labor grant will be critical in expanding the nursing workforce in northcentral Montana and provide help for nurses that are struggling to advance their medical education due to balancing family and work demands.
“Our goal is to ensure that nurses in Montana, including those in rural settings, receive the necessary assistance to pursue and complete educational advancement they might otherwise forgo,” Ford said. “Empowering these nurses with increased education will have a profound positive impact on healthcare quality and availability for all Montanans.”
Alluvion was one of two recipients of the Nursing Expansion grant in Montana, which included Montana State University-Billings. The Department of Labor awarded a total of $78 million toward workforce training for nurses across 17 states.
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing recently reported that the 4.2 million registered nurses in the U.S. make up the largest demographic of health care professionals. However, the Department of Labor projects that there will be over 203,000 openings for registered nursing positions across the country each year through 2031.
“The grants we’re awarding recognize the burden so many nurses have shouldered for too long by supporting programs to expand and diversify the workforce,” acting Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training Brent Parton said in a statement. “These investments will also help to ensure the nation’s well-being and continue to strengthen our care economy using proven practices and strategies.”
This article originally appeared on Great Falls Tribune: Alluvion Health receives grant for Montana nursing workforce
