BOSTON — Mass General Brigham and UMass Boston are investing $20 million into a program that they hope will bolster the number of nursing students from underrepresented communities.
Citing the continued nationwide shortage of nurses, officials hope the expansion to the Clinical Leadership Collaborative for Diversity in Nursing program will widen the pathway for students to become full-time nurses at Mass General Brigham hospitals.
“Nurses are fundamental to the delivery of high-quality, compassionate healthcare to our patients,” said President and CEO of Mass General Brigham, Dr. Anne Klibanski. “There is an immense need to increase the pipeline of trained nurses, with a concerted focus on increasing diversity among our trainees. This initiative is a powerful example of how collaboration can drive change to overcome monumental challenges in a meaningful way.”
The program’s expansion was made possible by a $15 million donation to UMass Boston’s Manning College of Nursing and Health Sciences by Robert and Donna Manning in 2021.
“I commend Mass General Brigham for collaborating with the UMass Boston leadership to confront one of the most challenging workforce and health care challenges of our time,” said UMass President Marty Meehan. “Building on the inspiring generosity of Rob and Donna Manning, the federal investment supported by Congressman Steve Lynch, and the work of the UMass Foundation team, this initiative will result in a stronger, more diverse nursing corps and a healthier community.”
The program provides financial support for students from traditional and accelerated nursing programs to participate in the Clinical Leadership Collaborative for Diversity in Nursing program. Officials say the new additional funding will also support the creation of a behavioral health equity certificate for enrolled students.
Officials hope to recruit 400 students into the program over the next five years.
Founded in 2008, the Clinical Leadership Collaborative for Diversity in Nursing has provided hands-on experience to 135 graduate and undergraduate nursing students.
“As the daughter and granddaughter of nurses, I am thrilled to see UMass Boston and Mass General Brigham expand their efforts to recruit and retain nursing students from diverse backgrounds,” said Governor Maura Healey. “At a time when we are facing a shortage of nurses and a mental health crisis, this is an important step that our schools, workforce, and health care system all will benefit from.”
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