New England College to expand nursing program
Summary
The renovations will expand the available physical learning space for the program, including its clinical simulation lab.The funding comes amid a nationwide shortage of nurses, worsened by the Covid-19 pandemic. A 2022 study published in the journal Health Affairs found the total number of registered nurses in the country decreased by more than 100,000 from 2020 to 2021, the largest drop seen in four decades of record-keeping. A significant number of nurses leaving the workforce were under the age of 35, and most were employed in hospitals.Weve experienced the dire challenges posed by shortages in our nursing workforce, particularly amid the pandemic, Shaheen said during a visit to PSU to announce the grant. Now is the time to invest in robust nursing training and support to put quality healthcare within reach for every Granite Stater. Concord Hospital and Catholic Medical Center are already part of the NEC program.The $2 million grant, which will be used to renovate the 35,250-square-foot science facility on the schools campus, will also allow the college to increase the program capacity for educating licensed nursing assistants and registered nurses from 40 students per cohort to 120 per cohort.Healthcare organizations rely on prepared, skilled staff to fulfill their missions, but many factors have complicated the ability to find the staff that is needed, said Dr. Greg Baxter, CEO of Elliot Health System.This partnership with New England College will help to build and sustain talent now and well into the future.