HU Nursing School Awarded $3.2 Million

Hampton, VA -The Hampton University School of Nursing was recently awarded approximately $3.2 million in grants. The three grants will serve several purposes in the department, including the preparing nurses for the workforce, retaining students and enhancing the doctoral program. The grants were awarded by the Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration:

• Advanced Education Nursing Grant – $1.1 million – The purpose of this project is to enhance the Doctor of Philosophy program to prepare graduates for national certification as nurse educators.
• Nurse Education Practice and Retention Grant – $835,136 – The purpose of this project is to expand enrollment in the baccalaureate nursing program. Project activities will respond to the need for preparing nurses who will serve underserved individuals, families, and groups in the communities where they reside.
• Nursing Workforce Diversity Grant – $1.2 million – The purpose of this project is to increase nursing education opportunities through the implementation of a model pre-entry and post-enrollment program that includes retention activities, stipends, and scholarship support for persons from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Dr. Arlene Montgomery, who was recently appointed dean of the HU School of Nursing, praised the former dean and current provost Dr. Pamela Hammond for her efforts in securing the grants. Now, Montgomery wants to continue moving the School forward.

“As a result of this funding, the School of Nursing will be able to increase recruitment, retention and graduation of nurse clinicians, scholars and educators, thereby, contributing to the supply of nurses in the profession. This outcome will directly impact the nurse shortage by providing more practicing professionals,” she said. “Now we must continue this process for future funding.”

Since its inception in 1891, the program has had several firsts, including being the first historically black college or university (HBCU) to initiate a master’s program in 1976, and being the first HBCU to establish a PhD program in 1999.

HU’s nursing program offers degree programs in nursing on the undergraduate, graduate and PhD levels. Undergraduate programs include the B.S., LPN to B.S. and RN to BS programs. In addition, an accelerated BS program is also offered through the College of Virginia Beach. Master of science degree programs are offered for the roles of nursing education, administration, and nurse practitioner.