The Daily Campus

Issue date: 6/15/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Matt Lin The UConn Health Center located in Farmington is used by UConn's graduate nursing program. The program will receive a $45,285 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Congressman Joe Courtney announced on May 21 that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded a $46,285 grant to UConn's graduate nursing program.

The federal grant is intended to reduce costs for students participating in Advanced Education Nursing Traineeships.

The grant will be allocated toward tuition assistance funds, which are awarded on a semester by semester basis. Grant funding will be available to students in the fall.

Full-time nursing students working toward their master's degree are eligible to receive funds from the new federal grant.

Courtney said that the federal government was able to award funding when the stimulus bill and 2009 budget were passed.

"We're about to have a really intense effort, in terms of health care reform," Courtney said, explaining that the Obama administration wants America to reevaluate its health care system.

"One of the important issues that doesn't get a lot of talk is the fact that we need to really strengthen the ranks of primary health care providers, including doctors," Courtney said. "Just as important are nurses. We really actually have looming crisis on the horizon in terms of a nursing shortage."

Courtney explained that a generation of baby-boomer nurses is preparing to retire, with fewer nursing students to take their place. It will leave many hospitals and doctors' offices understaffed.

"Addressing cost-issues is a way to combat this - more affordable education will encourage more people to enter the nursing field," said Courtney.

"This is a nice grant," he continued. "We need to do more, obviously, but it shows that this administration is refocusing in the right direction, in terms of health care."

"I hope to one day eventually get my APRN," said Mary Bailey, a 7th semester nursing major. "It's comforting to know that funding will be made more available in the future, because paying for an undergrad degree is expensive already."

Bailey will be paying off her undergraduate loans for years to come. She said that increased federal funding for tuition assistance makes the prospect of graduate school seem more feasible.

Anne Bavier, dean of the school of nursing, said that although the grant will not impact every student in the graduate program, she is grateful for federal support.

"There's less funding for master's degree students," said Bavier, who explained that it can be very difficult for graduate nursing students to make ends meet because of the curriculum.

"These programs are very intensive," said Bavier. "Because of the work required, it limits the ability of students to get part-time jobs. A stipend can really help students get through."

Bavier anticipates that about 30 students will benefit from the grant.

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