U of S nursing program gets
nearly $1M for rural care
The University of Scranton's graduate nursing program received close to $1 million in federal grant money this year, fueling its initiative to improve the quality of care in rural communities across Northeast Pennsylvania.
The department received three federal grants for the 2012-13 academic year through the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, including a $432,000 program grant and a $548,000 advanced nursing education traineeship grant.
Officials distributed the traineeship grant money among family nurse practitioner students, giving each $7,700 toward their tuition, said Mary Jane Hanson, Ph.D., professor and director of the Department of Nursing's graduate program.
"It provides financial support to these students who are doing clinical training in rural counties," she said. "Students tend to stay in the areas they do clinical training, so this funding is critical."
Northeast Pennsylvania ranks in the bottom fourth of the state in overall health and life expectancy, a University of Scranton-issued release said.
Dr. Hanson said the program grant sends money directly into the program, and supports the faculty's effort to develop an "innovative, interdisciplinary educational model" based on the needs of rural, underserved communities in the region.
"Care improves when there is good communication and collaboration among all health professionals," Dr. Hanson said.
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