This grant provided funding to Mars Hill University’s (MHU) new School of Nursing to assist with the maintenance and expansion of the rural North Carolina healthcare workforce. The program concentrated on the skilled, diverse nursing workforce reflective of the disadvantaged populations in rural and underserved counties in North Carolina. Community-based clinical sites in rural areas had already been secured through partnerships with area hospitals and their physician networks. Area healthcare providers had openings for BSN-prepared nurses or diploma nurses and nurses with an associate degree who committed to achieving a BSN within a specified time range. MHU’s RN-to-BSN program addressed this need, allowing at least 25 RNs to earn their BSN annually while maintaining employment or to obtain employment at area providers. Once the School was fully operational, an additional 25 students earned a BSN annually through the program. Golden LEAF funds were used primarily for simulation equipment and one year of personnel costs.
