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University of Saint Joseph Addresses the Nursing and Behavioral Health Provider Shortages

West Hartford, CT (08/16/2022) — The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) is addressing the nursing shortage in CT by educating high school juniors and seniors with hands-on simulations in our Nursing Education & Simulation Center. The five-day opportunity was funded by a generous grant from Berkshire Bank and included informational sessions about applying to college, preparing for a career in nursing with interactive simulations in USJ's state-of-the-art Nursing Education and Simulation Center, interacting with nursing professionals, and touring the campus. More opportunities like this will be available because of CT Health Horizons, a three-year higher education program designed to address statewide nursing and behavioral health provider shortages.

The initiative, which includes USJ and both public and independent not-for-profit colleges and universities in the state, will provide tuition assistance to low-income and minority students, faculty recruitment and retention support, and programs to promote partnerships between employers and institutes of higher education.

The program seeks to address the state's workforce shortage in these critical areas through three strategic pillars:

  • Tuition assistance to incentivize low-income and minority students to enter accelerated and cost-effective nursing and social work programs;
  • Recruitment and retention of faculty to rapidly expand seat capacity and train the next generation of nursing and behavioral health workers;
  • Innovative programs to promote partnerships between employers and institutes of higher education to build career pathways.

The $35 million initiative was approved as part of the state budget bill and is funded with federal American Rescue Plan Act money. The initiative is estimated to provide tuition support to 1,200 students entering nursing and social work programs, with a focus on associate degree nursing (ADN) programs, accelerated bachelor in nursing (BSN) programs, and master of social work (MSW) programs. In addition, it is expected to expand educational seat capacity to serve more than 1,000 new students.

Learn more about USJ's Healthcare careers here.

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The University of Saint Joseph is the premier small private university in Connecticut developing professionals for in-demand fields of health care, social services, education, and the sciences. A USJ degree is a proven credential for undergraduates seeking a traditional New England college setting with exceptional NCAA Division III athletics and a strong sense of community. For graduate students ready to learn more and earn more, USJ offers online, hybrid, and on-ground masters and doctoral programs with innovative modular curricula that attract students from around the world.

To learn more, view our website at www.usj.edu.

OFFICE OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS 1678 Asylum Avenue | West Hartford, Connecticut 06117 | Tel: 860.231.5661 www.usj.edu

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High School Students in USJ Nursing Education and Simulation Lab

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