The West Virginia University School of Nursing has received a generous grant of $2.6 million from the Bedford Falls Foundation to address workforce challenges in the state and nationwide. This grant, provided by founders William “Bill” Conway and his late wife, Joanne Barkett Conway, aims to increase the nursing workforce in the eastern United States.
With a nationwide shortage of nurses due to various factors such as changing demographics and increased demand for healthcare, the WVU School of Nursing is working to educate more nurses to meet these needs. The grant will provide student scholarships and faculty support for four programs aimed at producing well-trained nurses.
One of the key initiatives funded by the grant is the expansion of existing degree programs to new sites. The Licensed Practical Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program will be offered at the WVU Keyser Campus, increasing the number of BSN-educated nurses in the state. Additionally, the school is planning to offer its Accelerated BSN program at a new campus location in the Eastern Panhandle.
The grant will also support an international nursing program with Arellano University in the Philippines, providing scholarships for students to complete their BSN education at WVU. Furthermore, the funding will expand scholarship support for the PhD program, ensuring a pipeline of qualified nursing educators for the future.
Overall, this grant from the Bedford Falls Foundation will have a lasting impact on nursing education at WVU, providing opportunities for students and faculty alike. The Conways’ philanthropic efforts in nursing education have already made a significant impact, and this partnership with WVU will further contribute to addressing the critical nursing shortage nationwide.