By Amy Curtis | October 2023

In this issue: Scholarships for nursing students; Free continuing education courses from TUKHS; Meet new Kansas Nursing Workforce Center team members.

This newsletter is 1200 words long, about a 9-minute read.

One big thing: Kansas Promise Act Scholarship

Illustration of a happy high school student. 

The Kansas Promise Scholarship Act provides service scholarships for qualifying students to attend Kansas community colleges and Kansas technical colleges in specific fields of study. Approved fields include practical nursing and associate degree in nursing. These scholarships are administered through the Kansas Board of Regents.

Why it matters: Kansas communities need nurses at every level. The Kansas Hospital Association has identified the highest volume in job openings through 2028 as nursing assistants (27,619 openings), registered nurses (19,644 openings), and medical assistants (5,710 openings).  

How it works: These “last-dollar scholarships” are to be used only after all other financial aid resources have been awarded. The calculation of the last-dollar amount is based on the gap between other aid that has been awarded and what Promise Scholarship aid is still needed to help a Student meet the cost of the tuition, required fees, books, and required materials of the program.  

What they're saying: “Healthcare programs can be expensive and require a lot of the students’ time and energy,” said Kathleen Kottas, DNP, APRN-CNS, APRN-FNP-C, BC, Dean of Workforce Training and Community Education, Barton Community College. “The Kansas Promise Act is a ‘Last Dollar’ scholarship that will help a student ‘zero out’ the balance they might have after all other financial aid is applied.  This can take the financial pressure off of a student as they pursue a career. It is important to let students and families know about this incredible opportunity and what we can do to help them apply.”

Program Details

Service Requirements: After completion, recipients must reside and work in Kansas for a minimum of two consecutive years or enroll in a Kansas institution of higher education and subsequently reside and work in Kansas for a minimum of two consecutive years.

Yes, but: The money dedicated to the Kansas Promise Act is a game changer for students with financial barriers to post-secondary education. But it’s meaningless if they don’t know the funds exist. That’s where Manhattan, Kansas’ example shines. They took a multi-pronged approach to promote the scholarships between the Manhattan Chamber, Manhattan Area Technical College, and high schools to promote the opportunity.

Kudos: FHSU Receives Federal Funds to Expand Nurses

Sen. Jerry Moran - photo by Zach Woolf, Fort Hays State University

In October Sen. Jerry Moran and Fort Hays State University announced the award of two Health and Human Services grants totaling over $4M to expand the number of nursing professionals in rural Kansas, specifically west of Salina.

Funds Detailed: The 4-year Advanced Nursing Education Workforce Program (ANEW) grant provides funds to nurses who plan to practice in rural western Kansas. Recipients will receive more than $20,000 as a stipend for the final 3-years of the grant. The Nurse Education, Practice, Quality and Retention (NEPQR) grant supports expanded simulation training that prepares nursing students for service in rural areas. Students who pursue positions west of Salina will receive $10,000 after completing a simulation residency in their final semester.

Why it matters: As noted in the KHA healthcare workforce annual report, in western Kansas the RN turnover rate is 19.5% and the APRN turnover rate is 17.5%. This equates to 200 vacant RN positions and 3 vacant APRN positions across 32 rural hospitals.

Go deeper

Free Continuing Nurse Education Courses

The University of Kansas Health System is offering Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) Courses to all nurses in Kansas free of charge.

The course catalog contains over 250 in-person training offerings and e-learning courses for certifications and contact hours.

Nurses who want to access classes should follow these instructions.

Policy Position: AI in Health Care 

Illustration of nurse with digital overlay.

The Kansas Nursing Workforce Center recently responded to congress to their call for commentary for the Exploring Congress’ Framework for the Future of AI Report. 

Voices Absent: During the initial forum on September 13, 2023, Senators and leaders from the AI industry were present but health care leaders were notably absent.

Our Position: Any conversation about AI in health care must include nurses. Congress must engage nurse leaders to develop health care AI frameworks from the outset. As AI increasingly permeates healthcare, thoughtful integration by nurses will be essential to maximize benefits while safeguarding patients.

Read the full commentary.

Future Health Professionals Fall Leadership Conference

Overhead view of HOSA Fall Leadership Conference vendors.

The Kansas HOSA Fall Leadership Conference, October 4, 2023 focused on developing leadership skills, encouraging students to become leaders, and enabled students to compete in events.

Exponential Growth: There were 636 attendees, an increase of 78% over the previous year. The conference featured two expos with 50 unique tables for networking. There were 53 unique break-out sessions that included panels, a cadaver lab tour, a charter bus that took students to the Forensic Science Lab in Topeka, hands-on sessions, presentations on careers, and competitive event preparation. 

Students also participated in four mock competitive events, including a Nursing Assisting competition with 38 student competitors. 

Get Involved: The next HOSA event is scheduled for March 27-28, 2024 in Manhattan, KS. Planners are currently estimating 1,000 attendees. And attendees can look forward to nearly 90 competitive events, similar to an International HOSA conference. 

What they're saying: “These students represent the future of health care in Kansas,” said Tina Goosz-Garetson, Health Career Communications Coordinator, Kansas HOSA State Advisor. “If anyone involved with any role in a health care organization is interested in being a part of HOSA or seeing what these kids do, we would love to invite professionals to attend our conference. We have many opportunities including tables, speaking sessions, hands-on sessions, or as event staff with our competitive events, judging, mock patients, etc.”

Email Tina at tgoosz@kumc.edu to get more information. View photos of the event.

HOSA is a student-led global organization that provides a unique program of leadership development, motivation, and recognition exclusively for middle school, secondary, postsecondary, and collegiate students enrolled in health and biomedical sciences.

From the Kansas Nursing Workforce Center

Hello colleagues and health care stakeholders! Efforts to operationalize the Kansas Nursing Workforce Center are well on their way and ongoing.

This month, I’m happy to announce that Barbara MacArthur, MS, RN, FAAN has joined the Center as Co-Director and Shin Hye Park, PhD, RN has joined as Nurse Scientist and domain expert.

Barbara previously served as Chief Nursing Officer in rural and urban health systems. As a critical care nurse and Annenberg Fellow, she led early work on end-of-life and organ transplantation.

Shin Hye is a federally funded researcher focused on the nursing workforce and work environments, with experience analyzing the RN Survey and quality outcomes data for hospitals nationwide.

Their combined expertise helps us advance our mission of ensuring Kansans have access to nurses when and where they are needed and that nurses are supported as individuals and as part of the healthcare team.

—Dr. Amy Garcia
Director, Kansas Nursing Workforce Center

What We’re Reading

Have Kansas Nursing Workforce news, solutions, or kudos you’d like us to share?
Email nursingwill@kumc.edu

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