There’s Never Been a Better Time to Become a Nurse at D&E

State Grant, Full Scholarship and Area Partnerships Help Program Grow

Davis & Elkins College President Chris A. Wood, left, and Davis Health System President and CEO Vance Jackson sign an agreement for the Davis Medical Center Healthcare Scholarship. D&E students seeking their Associate in Science degree in nursing will have an opportunity to apply for the scholarship.

Making a career in nursing more accessible isn’t just an idea at Davis & Elkins College. It’s a plan in action. A nearly $1 million grant from West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice’s Nursing Workforce Expansion Program, a new full four-year scholarship and partnerships with local health care facilities are shaping the future to prepare highly trained nurses to meet the demand for professionals. Justice’s Nursing Workforce Expansion Program is designed to address the state’s nursing shortage through a multifaceted approach to attract, train and retain nurses in West Virginia. Representing a fundamental part of this approach, an award program was established to fund nursing program expansion projects at colleges, universities, schools of nursing, and career technical education centers across West Virginia. The grant funding will provide direct benefit to students and faculty while lending support to recruitment efforts and educational resources for students and D&E education partners. “The grant funding from the state of West Virginia will have an immediate impact on our nursing programs, as it allows us to update our lab equipment, attract and retain highly qualified nursing faculty and offer high quality three- and four-year degree programs,” said Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Rob Phillips. A new three-year accelerated Bachelor of Science in nursing program will begin this fall. Students who successfully complete the program will graduate in May 2025. The accelerated program will complement the College’s traditional four-year BSN program. The Associate of Science in nursing and online RN-to-BSN programs will remain in place.

Student Impact

Students entering Davis & Elkins College with a declared major in Bachelor of Science in nursing at the start of the fall 2022 semester will receive a $1,500 scholarship for the academic year. The scholarship is renewable if the student is accepted into and remains in good academic standing within the nursing program. Students will also be eligible for additional scholarships.

Increasing Faculty and Staff

In order to provide an adequate number of faculty members, the grant will provide for a signing or retention bonus for each new or current member of the nursing faculty and support staff. In addition, alumna and D&E Instructor of Nursing Victoria Klinger ’04 will also serve as nursing liaison in the Office of Admission helping recruit prospective nursing students and guiding current students on their academic path.

Adding Technology and Equipment

Grant funding for expansion of the D&E nursing program will provide for the purchase of additional equipment for the on-campus nursing skills lab and for The Center for Advanced Clinical Learning simulation lab at Davis Medical Center.

Partnerships with Area Health Care Facilities

West Virginia hospitals know the top-notch nursing programs at D&E produce well trained professionals. That’s why they have agreed to provide scholarships and job placement to graduates. • Davis Health System: Qualifying students pursuing their Associate in

Science degree in nursing agree to a work commitment and can receive up to a maximum of $15,000, depending on the number of years students are willing to commit to employment and financial need. • Mon Health: Qualifying students entering the associate’s or bachelor’s degree programs, as well as those transitioning from LPN to ASN, can receive financial support that can include tuition, textbooks and academic fees. Once they earn their nursing degree, graduates are guaranteed employment within the Mon Health System. For additional information, visit www.dewv.edu/academics/nursing/ or email klingerv@dewv.edu.

Mon Health President and CEO David Goldberg, left, and Davis & Elkins College President Chris A. Wood sign a partnership agreement for the Mon Health Scholars program. Looking on are Chair of the Davis & Elkins College Board of Trustees Mark Barber ’75 and Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Rob Phillips.