SXU's School of Nursing receives over $880K to focus on medically underserved populations
Saint Xavier University's (SXU) School of Nursing (SON) has been awarded a grant through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). SXU's Assistant Professor of Nursing Laura Tucco, Ph.D., secured the Advanced Nursing Education Workforce (ANEW) grant for a two-year period, which began July 1 and runs through June 30, 2019.
During the 2017 to 2018 and 2018 to 2019 academic semesters, the grant will cover the cost of 15 family nurse practitioner (FNP) students each year. The total of the grant is $887,467. A project will go along with the grant, which will involve a partnership with a group of Franciscan Specialty Physicians, who provide care to underserved communities, similar to the residents around SXU.
"Specialty Physicians of Illinois, LLC, is pleased to partner with Saint Xavier and provide a training site for family nurse practitioner students," said Franciscan Specialty Physicians of Illinois, LLC Human Resources Manager Rai Barney. "Our advanced practice providers understand the vital role of preceptors and are eager to aid in the clinical and professional development of our community's future nurse practitioners."
Dr. Tucco, who is leading the project, must identify, select and maintain 15 dedicated FNP students for each year, work closely with the students who report to her, and encourage the continuation of a relationship with Franciscan Specialty Physicians. The pupils who receive the award will be those with a strong commitment and passion for aiding medically underserved communities.
"Receipt of the ANEW grant provides funding to support the clinical education of family nurse practitioner (FNP) students in academic-practice partnerships with clinical facilities where students will care for the medically underserved," said Tucco. "Caring for the medically underserved is consistent with the Mercy mission of Saint Xavier University. The grant provides much needed funding to FNP students allowing them to focus on their studies and prepare for future careers as primary health care providers."
Since 2014, SXU's SON has obtained close to $2 million in awards for FNP education. The ANEW grant is now the third consecutive program to bring necessary funding for the students.
"We are very proud and excited to have received a two-year ANEW grant from HRSA," said SXU President Laurie M. Joyner, Ph.D. "Receipt of this highly-competitive award showcases not only the hardworking efforts of our Nursing faculty, but our dedication and commitment to academic excellence. The knowledge and experiences our FNP students will receive through these clinical partnerships will be vital to their future professional success."
This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number T94HP30915.
This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.
For more information on SXU's nursing program, please visit their web page.