LE MOYNE COLLEGE
Grant: $63,955 - Health Resources and Services Administration - Aug. 10, 2009
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Award Description: ARRA-Nurse Faculty Loan Program Addressing both the overall shortage of nurses as well as the critical shortage of nurse faculty in this nation requires a commitment by higher education institutions to offer nursing education programs that will contribute to resolving the supply/demand issue. One important step to ensure a strong and educated nursing workforce is to increase the availability of financial aid to students whose goal is to prepare themselves for advanced practice as nurse educators. Preparing a cadre of nurse educators would have a multiplier effect on solving the shortage issue--additional faculty members to replace the ranks of retiring faculty or to enhance the size of the faculty in each school can serve to educate multiple numbers of students to become nurses. The purpose of this project by the Department of Nursing at Le Moyne College is to allocate federal funding for graduate student loans that will not only entice new applicants to pursue advanced education in the educator track portion of the master?s degree program, but will support current students throughout their educational experience to fulfill their career goal of becoming an academic nurse faculty member. This funding is assisting the Department to recruit and retain well-qualified adult learners who desire to advance their education toward this goal on a full-time or part-time basis but are struggling financially to afford additional schooling. More often than not, they must juggle the demands of full-time employment in nursing practice and the responsibilities of raising their families while attempting to further their education. The Department of Nursing at Le Moyne currently offers two functional tracks in nursing education and nursing administration at the master?s level. Since the beginning of this 39-credit master?s degree program in fall 2006, the educator track has been the most popular of the two functional role options. Currently 35 students are matriculated in the MS program, three-quarters of whom are in the educator track. Six of them are presently employed as faculty in associate degree nursing programs with the intention of remaining in these academic positions upon graduation. Of the current and projected number of ARRA NFLP participants, it is anticipated that at least nine students (25%) within the next academic year would be interested in receiving this funding support to continue and complete their program. Currently four part-time students have taken advantage of this loan opportunity during the fall 2009 semester. Five additional students have initially applied but are not eligible for a loan until spring 2010 when they matriculate on a full or part-time basis. It is expected that these additional students will be recipients of ARRA funds. Le Moyne remains the only graduate program in Central New York within a 55-mile radius that offers the nurse educator specialty track option. This relatively young program has significant potential for growth and the capacity to educate more, highly qualified educators to meet workforce demands in this region of Upstate New York. Our academically strong program is well recognized in the community and continues to attract highly qualified candidates.
Project Description: As soon as the Department of Nursing at Le Moyne College was notified that it received ARRA NFLP funding, a letter from the Chair was sent directly to all matriculated students (27) in the educator track of the MS program. Attached to this letter was a form that could be completed by the student to express interest in this loan opportunity. Ten forms were returned. Six students seriously considered taking advantage of this funding opportunity but four students were deemed ineligible because they would not be matriculated until the following semester. To advertise this loan opportunity, the College internally advertised receipt of this grant on its daily announcements page as well as its website and the Chair of the Department of Nursing met individually and also met twice in a group setting with potential candidates. Externally, this ARRA NFLP award was published in our local newspaper, circulated via the Intranets of selected local hospitals, and the Nursing Chair addressed a number of public audiences. In addition, an administrative structure was immediately created to ensure a smooth process by which students could be deemed eligible and funds could be allocated. The Director of Financial Aid, the Associate Controller, the Bursar, the Assistant Director of Government and Foundation Relations, and the Chair of the Department of Nursing met three times to discuss the applicant interview process, program oversight, and responsibilities for the allocation and tracking of funds. The Director of Financial Aid took major responsibility for contacting all applicants and conducting their entrance interviews. For the fall 2009 semester, four part-time master?s students took advantage of the loan opportunity resulting in an allocation of $9,080. Five new students are planning on applying for loans beginning in the spring 2010 semester. It is anticipated that at least nine students will participate in this ARRA NFLP loan program this academic year.
Jobs Summary: No jobs were created during this period. (Total jobs reported: 0)
Project Status: Less Than 50% Completed
This award's data was last updated on Aug. 10, 2009. Help expand these official descriptions using the wiki below.
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