A $915,163 grant from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is allowing the University of Nebraska Medical Center to address a shortage of nurses at K-12 schools throughout Nebraska.
The grant will place 25 nursing students from across UNMC’s five campuses — Omaha, Lincoln, Norfolk, Kearney and Scottsbluff — at K-12 schools later this semester through the newly created School Nurse Scholars program. The grant has been awarded as a subcontract through the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.
On average, for every school nurse in Nebraska, there are more than 1,100 students. The CDC recommends a student-to-nurse ratio of 750 to 1.
Students will focus on the specifics of nursing for school-age patients in four one-credit-hour scholar classes over the course of four semesters through spring 2024. Nursing students will be able to directly care for students, conduct school screenings and provide mental health education.
The grant will cover participating students’ tuition, books and fees. Each student also will receive a $1,500 stipend for each semester they’re enrolled in the program. A student’s participation in the program will be in addition to their regular course load.
Students interested in the School Nurse Scholar program can apply online at tinyurl.com/h9y2bzyx. They also can contact UNMC College of Nursing project coordinator/liaison Tyler Szymanski via email at tyszymanski@unmc.edu or by phone at 531-215-9353 for more information.
