Program Evaluation of a Nursing Workforce Intervention: The Maryland Nurse Support Program II

• Published in: Nursing economic Vol. 35; no. 1; pp. 14 - 38
• Main Authors: Yoo, Byung-Kwang, Kim, Minchul, Sasaki, Tomoko, Ward, Debbie, Spetz, Joanne
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Jannetti Publications, Inc 01.01.2017; Anthony J. Jannetti, Inc
• Subjects: Cost control; Data dictionaries; Decision making; Education; Education, Nursing - economics; Evaluation; Fellowships and Scholarships - statistics & numerical data; Forecasts and trends; Funding; Higher education; Humans; Intervention; Labor force; Labor shortages; Leadership; Maryland; Nurses; Nurses - supply & distribution; Nursing; Nursing education; Nursing schools; Program Evaluation; Shortages; Studies; Training Support - statistics & numerical data; Workforce; Maryland; United States > US
• ISSN: 0746-1739; 2995-4053

A nursing workforce initiative in Maryland sought to graduate additional nursing students to become registered nurses and to increase the number and preparation levels of nursing faculty. Between FY 2006 and FY 2015, nearly $100 million was awarded through 109 competitive institutional grants at 27 nursing programs across the state; 950 faculty received awards through fellowships, scholarships, and grants. Maryland's nursing workforce intervention increased the number of graduates by 27% through this decade-long program. Although Maryland outperformed the nation in the rate of increase of registered nurses, there is still a projected state shortfall of 12,100 nurses by 2025. It is imperative for nurse researchers and nurse leaders to address the future nursing and nurse faculty workforce shortage using effective strategies based on empirical evidence and evaluation of outcomes. This program evaluation informed the decision to continue investments in the nursing and faculty workforce (up to $75 million) for an additional 5 years.