The White House Just Committed $35 Million to the Advanced Nursing Education Workforce: What to Know

The White House recently invested $100 million in nursing programs to prevent further shrinking of the nursing workforce. The investment went to five federal programs and focuses on all aspects of nursing, especially the training and advancement of nursing skills.

One program that benefitted was the Advance Nursing Education Workforce (ANEW) program. Administered by the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), the ANEW program received $34.8 million — the most money of any program receiving funds through the Biden administration’s commitment.

The ANEW funds will be distributed in amounts up to $650,000 per grant for 56 grantees over four years. Each grantee uses their award to increase the number of primary care nurse practitioners (NPs), clinical nurse specialists, and certified nurse midwives.

The ANEW program trains advanced practice registered nurses in primary care services, with funding preferences for training programs serving rural and underserved areas. Here’s more about the program and what funding it means for healthcare and nursing in the U.S.

The ANEW program provides tuition and other support to students and recruits new nursing school faculty members. The program also focuses on growing preceptors so students have the support they need to be successful in the program.

The ANEW program aims to increase the number of APRNs and their primary care capabilities. It also trains learners in how to care for patients with substance use disorders and other mental health conditions and maternal health services.

Primary care is particularly important. A national physician shortage in addition to the nursing shortage makes the demand for primary care providers, such as specially trained APRNs, even greater. Critical shortage areas include:

Another key goal of the program is to increase diversity in the nursing workforce — and improve health outcomes in the process — by recruiting students and faculty from diverse backgrounds. This way, graduates from the program can meet the needs of the communities they serve. The partnerships will address health equity and social determinants of health for underserved communities, such as rural, urban and tribal communities.

According to the 2020 U.S. Census, more than 40% of the U.S. population now identify as people of color. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), an organization established to provide quality standards for nursing education, emphasizes the importance of recruiting students and faculty, specifically from underrepresented groups, to increase representation in healthcare. These groups include:

There is also a push to encourage more men to join the nursing profession. Although there has been an increase in men in the profession, a National Nursing Workforce Study survey found that men accounted for only 11% of registered nurses in 2022, up from 9% in 2020.

Lastly, the need for more faculty nurses, especially those from a diverse pool, will help with the nursing shortage by widening the training pipeline. In 2021, the AACN annual survey reported only 19.2% of full-time nursing school faculty are from underrepresented backgrounds, and only 7.4% identify as male.

Some schools that received ANEW program grants announced their plans for the funding:

The ANEW program grant has made a significant impact on communities, specifically rural and underserved communities. ANEW grants have allowed NPs to work in rural areas that otherwise may need more funds to hire an NP.

The grant has also aided students financially, allowing students to pursue their master’s degree. Lastly, the grant has intentionally recruited students and faculty from diverse backgrounds, simultaneously adding more nurses to the workforce and increasing representation.