The Arizona Department of Health Services has granted Arizona State University $5.5 million to get more nurses into the workforce.
ASU has an accelerated nursing program that allows those with an existing bachelor’s degree and all the prerequisites, to get a nursing degree in just one year.
The funding will cover tuition for 104 students starting that program this summer and graduating in 2024.
Judy Karshmer Dean of ASU’s Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation. She said about 10% of nursing jobs across the country are unfilled.
“[That number] doesn’t even take into consideration all the new jobs that will be emerging," she said. "So it’s not just the current lack of nurses, it’s the anticipated increased need for nurses that this funding is trying to help us with.”
Students who receive the money must commit to practicing in Arizona for four years. ASU will use the rest of the money to hire new faculty members.
