CHARLESTON — Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced a $291,403 award Sept. 21 to the WVU Medicine Center for Nursing Education to expand nursing education and address nursing shortages across West Virginia. The funding, provided through Mountain State Care Force under the state’s Rural Health Transformation Program, will support expanded enrollment and new instructional sites in Wheeling and Berkeley County. The WVU Health System reports about 1,000 nursing vacancies across its network.
“A strong healthcare system starts with having the people in place to care for patients,” Morrisey said, according to a statement released from the governor’s office. “This investment will help put more nurses in our hospitals and communities so West Virginians can get the care they need, improve their health, and get back to work.”
The expansion is expected to accommodate about 100 additional nursing students annually, with an emphasis on students from rural areas and communities designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas.
The program will provide tuition and fee assistance, academic services, wellness resources and other support to help students complete their nursing education. Participating students will commit to working in West Virginia’s health care workforce. Health Secretary Dr. Arvin Singh said the initiative will expand educational opportunities while strengthening the state’s nursing workforce. Alina Czekai, director of the CMS Office of Rural Health Transformation, said the federal program supports community-driven efforts to expand rural health care capacity and access.
