A Troy University School of Nursing program aimed at increasing the number of qualified nursing faculty in Alabama has seen an increase in funding for the 2021-2022 academic year from the Health Resources and Services Administration.

The program, which began last year after receiving $80,387 in funding through the Nurse Faculty Loan Program grant, will this year receive $111,964 through the grant program. The grant provides funding to accredited schools of nursing to offer loans to students enrolled in advanced education nursing degree programs who are committed to become nurse faculty. In exchange for full-time, post-graduation employment as nurse faculty, the program authorizes the cancelation of up to 85 percent of any such loan.

“Receiving increased funding this year for this program will continue to be instrumental in attracting students to our Doctor of Nursing Practice program and in developing future nursing educators,” said Dr. Wade Forehand, Director of TROY’s School of Nursing. “TROY’s School of Nursing has a history of pIacing DNP graduates in full-time faculty positions and this grant will provide further incentive for DNP graduates to pursue teaching roles. I am grateful to Dr. Carrie Lee Gardner, the principal investigator for this grant, who was instrumental in putting the grant together and pursuing this activity.”

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) reported that more than 80,000 qualified applicants in the U.S. were not admitted to baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs in 2019, and the insufficient numbers of faculty played a significant role in those numbers.

Since its inception in 2009, TROY’s DNP program has experienced success in placing graduate nursing faculty positions throughout the Southeast. Over the last five years, the percentage of TROY’s DNP graduates who seek positions in nursing education has ranged from 16% to 35% of the graduating cohort.

 “The aim of this funding opportunity is to increase the number of qualified nursing faculty,” Dr. Gardner said. “Among 2020 TROY DNP graduates, approximately 21% are either already employed in nursing education or voiced intent to seek a faculty position. Overall, about 20% of former TROY DNP graduates are employed as full-time nursing faculty across the state of Alabama.”

In order to support the preparation and training of doctoral nursing students to serve as faculty, TROY’s School of Nursing also developed courses focused on development of the nursing education role, including the fall 2020 implementation of a nursing education post-master’s certificate program.

Those interested in applying should contact Dr. Gardner at csgardner@troy.edu.