Mercy University wins $1.68 million HRSA grant for nursing workforce

Mercy University has secured a four-year federal grant to expand its graduate nursing pipeline and help more students from disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds finish advanced degrees. The funding targets primary care and psychiatric provider shortages in New York City-area communities that face the biggest access gaps.

Why it matters: - Mercy University will use federal funding to grow the number of family and psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners serving underserved communities in the New York City metropolitan area. - The initiative is aimed at improving access to primary care and mental health services in neighborhoods where provider shortages are most severe. - The grant is designed to help more graduate nursing students complete degrees and enter the workforce with less financial strain.

What happened: - Mercy University received a four-year, $1.68 million Nursing Workforce Development grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration. - The grant supports a program called "Increasing Enrollment and Retention of Family and Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners." - The initiative focuses on graduate nursing students from disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds. - Mercy University said the program is meant to help these students complete advanced degrees and provide care in high-need communities.

The details: - Mercy University will provide tuition stipends, academic tutoring, peer mentorship and career transition support to 40 graduate nursing students. - The students are enrolled in the university’s Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner programs. - Eligible students will receive annual stipends of $12,000 to help offset tuition costs and reduce debt. - Faculty-led tutoring will be available in the evenings and on weekends. - Tutoring will cover subjects including pharmacology and health assessment, along with board certification preparation. - Incoming students will be paired with graduating students and recent alumni for one-on-one guidance. - Students will also have access to mental health and academic advising resources. - Clinical training will take place through Mercy University’s network of healthcare partners, including Montefiore Medical Center, New York-Presbyterian, Northwell Health and Open Door Family Health. - The program is intended to prepare students for practice in medically underserved areas.

Between the lines: - Mercy University is tying student support directly to workforce development, using financial aid and coaching to keep more trainees in the pipeline. - The program also reflects a broader attempt to diversify the nursing workforce by reducing barriers that often affect first-generation college graduates and working students. - Kristin Curry Greenwood, provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs, said many graduate nursing students are balancing full-time jobs and family responsibilities. - Zainab Toteh Osakwe, senior associate dean and chief nursing officer, said the program will expand access to high-quality training and improve access to essential primary and psychiatric care. - Sylvie Rosenbloom, director of the Family Nurse Practitioner Program, will oversee the initiative as project director.

What's next: - Mercy University said nurses interested in family nurse practitioner or psych-mental health nurse practitioner training can apply for the scholarship support tied to the grant. - The university expects the initiative to continue building clinical pathways in underserved areas while students complete their graduate training. - More information is available through the Family Nurse Practitioner program and the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program.

The bottom line: - Mercy University is using a $1.68 million federal grant to lower financial barriers, train more nurse practitioners and expand care in communities that need it most.