Northwest Missouri State University will receive $147,500 to fund scholarships for students in its Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) nurse educator program and to support the professional development of nurse educators in its nursing program.

The award was announced Dec. 18 as part of grant funds approved by Gov. Mike Parson.

“Northwest Missouri State University’s Nursing Education Incentive Program grant funding is a pivotal initiative targeting the dual challenge of attracting new talent to nursing education and crucially retaining current nurse educators in Missouri,” Dr. Brooke McAtee, the director of the Northwest nursing program, said. “By offering a comprehensive scholarship program to MSN students specializing in nurse education, the grant not only incentivizes aspiring educators to commit to teaching roles in Missouri but also supports the professional development and retention of existing faculty. These grant funds aim to bolster the state’s healthcare system by cultivating and maintaining a skilled nursing education workforce.”

Northwest offers an online RN to BSN program as well as two 30-hour online Master of Science in Nursing programs that allow students to earn specializations as nurse executive or nurse educator. Both programs are accredited by the National League for Nursing’s Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA) and are designed as student-centered programs that are conducive to the working nurse’s schedule.

The RN-BSN and MSN programs consist of seven-week sessions, enabling students to complete the program in less than a year. It provides opportunity for nurses to advance in their professional roles at a state, national and international level while emphasizing the importance of leadership skills in all service areas. RN to BSN students also have the opportunity to earn a nurse manager certificate through the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.

The state funding awarded to Northwest is among 20 competitive grants totaling $5 million approved for colleges and universities throughout Missouri. The grants were part of a special appropriation to the Missouri State Board of Nursing that was recommended and approved by the governor.

“It is vitally important that we continue to invest in Missouri’s health care workforce to stay competitive nationally, especially for our high-demand fields such as nursing,” Parson said. “These grant funds will allow nursing programs to increase faculty support, develop future faculty through scholarships and nursing educator programs, and invest in clinical simulation technology and equipment.”

To learn more about Northwest’s online nursing programs, call 660.562.1973 or email nwnursing@ngskmc-eis.net.