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two nurses on the Camus Green in fautumn
Bell Tower | Health Education and Human SciencesOctober 20, 2022

$9.9 Million Gift Will Double Nursing Program

Addressing a critical shortage of health-care providers, $9.9 million of the historic Windgate gift will be dedicated to nearly doubling the ΝΓΧΣΟΘΙϊ Nursing program.

β€œThis gift has created a new beginning for Nursing at ΝΓΧΣΟΘΙϊ, allowing us to address one of the greatest challenges of our lifetime, access to health care, by educating and training the registered nurses our community and our region so desperately need,” said Dr. Paula Julian, Executive Director of the ΝΓΧΣΟΘΙϊ Carolyn McKelvey Moore School of Nursing. 

An initial investment of close to $4 million will allow the university to hire 27 additional faculty immediately while expanding and equipping simulation labs. Phase 1 should serve about 200 more students annually in the Bachelor of Science of Nursing (BSN) programs, which include traditional and accelerated options. 

β€œWe have a distinctive nursing program known across the state as offering a truly exceptional education,” said ΝΓΧΣΟΘΙϊ Chancellor Dr. Terisa Riley. β€œThe brightest, most dedicated nursing students in the region choose ΝΓΧΣΟΘΙϊ because they know they’re going to get the best education. 

β€œBut like other universities, we have difficulty recruiting and retaining exceptional faculty members. Nationally, nursing faculty have been drawn away from academia by high salaries at hospitals and a call to do the important work of caring for patients. So the financial means to recruit and retain devoted educators is critical.

β€œThis is a gift not just to the ΝΓΧΣΟΘΙϊ. It reaches beyond the campus to absolutely transform the area.”

With the second phase of the investment, the university proposes adding two degrees, an Associate Degree of Nursing (AND) and an RN-to-BSN pathway. These flexible degree plans can accommodate the diverse nature of students and needs in the River Valley. Area hospitals are eager to recruit nurses with these degrees. 

In the two phases, the university will hire 40 additional faculty members and graduate many as 300 additional nurses a year. 

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