The School of Nursing at North Carolina A&T has received a $1.1 million dollar grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). This grant has allowed the School of Nursing to implement two new projects called, “Increasing RN-BSN Students” and “Interests in School Clubs”.

The RN-BSN project will allow an increase in the number of RNs that will attend NCA&T to complete the Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Registered nurses will also have the option to enroll in an online degree program.

The school clubs project will also expose the students to careers in nursing and other health professions, through clubs like the Future Nursing Club. The Future Nursing Club will be filled with numerous daily activities. The activities will focus on living a healthy lifestyle through food choice and physical activity.

“Participants will get involved in culture events, discovery activities and explore health careers,” says Dr.Patricia Price Lea, dean of the School of Nursing. The club will also participate in regional trips.

In addition to the clubs, there will be an eight-week summer institute for middle school students. The summer institute is free of charge and 30 middle school children will be selected.

“The students will learn to become entrepreneurs as they become safe sitters, in the summer institute. That will develop their skills and offer a potential portal fro earning money.” Says Dr. Lea. The summer institute will also promote a healthy living lifestyle and teaching students to be aware of the types of food they eat.

A&T nursing students will benefit from the programs this grant offers as well. There will be one additional faculty member added to the school to help educate the students, and nurses will be better educated.

“There is a limitless pool of potential benefits as we educate one nurse at a time here at A&T,” states Dr. Lea.

The School of Nursing at A&T is very grateful for the grant it received.

“It was a completive award. We were very fortunate. There are a number of dedicated faculty, staff and supporters who helped us to put the application (for the grant) together,” says Dr. Lea.

There are a lot of people within the School of Nursing who are working on the projects. Esther Faucette is the project coordinator along with Dr. Lea who oversees the whole program. Sandra Hicks and Dawne Murphy coordinate and develop the RN-BSN project.

• Shannon Pittman