NORTH HAVEN, CT — Quinnipiac University's School of Nursing has won $2.37 million from the federal Health Resources and Services Administration for a five-year program aimed at nursing students from economically and educationally disadvantaged backgrounds, according to the university's announcement, posted to Patch on Tuesday, Oct. 20. The program, called LEARN, short for Lifting Education and Advancement for Rising Nurses, will support 80 scholars over those five years.
LEARN targets nursing education access and retention
LEARN Scholars will get dedicated financial aid, academic help, peer mentoring and career development.
Quinnipiac says LEARN aims to bring more students from economically and educationally disadvantaged backgrounds into accelerated, full-time nursing programs and improve their chances of remaining enrolled. It also aims to increase the number of Quinnipiac graduates who select primary care or work in communities that are rural, Tribal or otherwise medically vulnerable. The Hartford Business Journal reported that Quinnipiac's North Haven campus houses the School of Nursing.
Provost Debra Liebowitz said the grant builds on the university's work preparing health care workers for Connecticut and the region. "The LEARN Program will support talented students on their path to becoming nurses," she said.
Dean Larry Slater said the program removes financial and academic barriers while expanding clinical experience in primary care and community settings, investing in communities that need nurses most.