The COVID-19 pandemic revealed the urgent need for more nurses and health workers in dozens of hospitals throughout the state of New York . And as a way to contribute to the increase of that labor force, Governor Kathy Hochul, revealed a scholarship program, which seeks to guarantee the preparation of 1, employees additional hospital staff.
At a time when more than 9,300 vacancies in hospital positions are estimated in New York, the state president announced that the State wants to facilitate the training of students who cannot afford their higher education, through the ‘Nurses for the future’ program, where they will have paid tuition at SUNY or CUNY universities, starting in the fall.
The initiative seeks to recruit and retrain nursing and health care professionals to become New York Registered Nurses.
“Nurses have always been invaluable to the health care system, but during the pandemic they have shown time and time again how far they are willing to go to protect neonates. Yorkers and saving lives,” Governor Hochul said. “New York is proud of our nurses, and this scholarship will go a long way in strengthening the workforce with people who are ready to begin their education and training.”
The State Health Commissioner, Mary T. Bassett, highlighted that the training program will also contribute to responding to the needs of more nurses in New York.
“Nurses are the cornerstone of medical care and have become the vital first responders during the COVID-19 pandemic. This scholarship program will ensure that New York State is equipped with the best and brightest professionals from SUNY and CUNY,” said the official.
The president of the New York State Nurses Association, Nancy Hagans, who has highlighted the need to fill existing vacancies in New York hospitals, warned that quality in hospital care depends on having enough nurses to care for patients.
“The Nurses for Our Future scholarship program will help attract and train more nurses to help New York’s health care facility staff more effectively. safe,” said the nurses’ union leader. “Investing in the nursing workforce is now part of the solution to providing quality care. for all New Yorkers in the future”.
The president of the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation, Guillermo Linares, congratulated the winners of the Scholarship Program who will begin studying at September and said that it will serve to balance the demand for clinical staff.
“Nurses have been at the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic for the past two years, and now more than ever we need a robust supply of trained and talented nurses,” said Linares.
The chancellor of CUNY, Félix Matos Rodríguez, explained that among the beneficiaries of the program, more than 19 undergraduate, graduate, and certificate students will join those schools to earn an associate or bachelor’s degree.
“Nursing programs at 000 CUNY campuses proudly educate the medical professionals who serve New Yorkers. Thousands of CUNY graduates and students have served on the front lines of New York’s COVID battle, and we stand ready to continue doing our part to address the great need in the state,” said Matos.
Scholarships were awarded to New York State licensed nurses for a BSN, in-state residents seeking a registered degree, and out-of-state licensed nurses who will relocate to and work in New York.