Summary of Maryland Higher Education Commission activities to address nursing shortages in Maryland, 2005?

MHEC Activities to Address Nursing Shortages in Maryland I. State Student Financial Aid Janet L. Hoffman Loan Assistance Repayment Proeram (LARP) • The LARP received an additional $500,000 in FY 2006, a portion of which is awarded to nurses. • Increased funds have enabled MHEC to support 30 more nurses in FY 2005 (45 total) as compared to FY 2004 (15 total) • Nurse faculty members were recently added as an eligible employment field to address the nursing faculty shortage. • MHEC is still accepting applications for each of these fields State Nursine Scholarship • The State Nursing Scholarship was funded at $979,294 in FY 2005 and was level-funded in FY 2006. • MHEC intends to change awarding in this program for FY 2006 to: о Allow scholarship recipients to work as nurse faculty members, and о Allow scholarship recipients to fulfill their service obligation working part-time. • These changes will encourage individuals to become nurse faculty members and allow flexibility in performing the service obligation. Teach for the Health of It MHEC is administering this scholarship program to provide an incentive for individuals to become faculty members and registered nurses. At least 80 nurses will be able to participate at a maximum award of $10,000 per person. II. Research and Analysis Report on Healthcare Occupations Maryland's Top Demand Healthcare Occupations — Projected Demand and Reported Supply Provided by Maryland Higher Education Institutions was prepared by MHEC staff for the Healthcare Workforce Steering Committee of the Governor’s Workforce Investment Board (GWIB) in March 2004. Nursine Scholarship Study MHEC conducted a survey of nursing scholarship recipients. This survey found that: • The program encourages students to work as nurses in Maryland and continue in the profession; and • More flexible work repayment is needed to all for part-time employment.