Grant Will Help Veterans With Military Medical Training Transition Into Civilian Nursing Careers
12/4/2014 – Dr. Fran Hardin-Fanning, associate professor at the University of Kentucky College of Nursing, recently received a $627,000 Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant to advance a project to prepare veterans for the civilian nursing workforce by establishing the Med/Vet to BSN option at the UK College of Nursing.
The three-year project will recruit and transition 25-50 veterans with military medical training into the civilian workforce via existing and newly developed academic and non-academic resources in the College's baccalaureate nursing program while partnering with on-campus and community veterans organizations throughout Kentucky. The first cohort of student veterans will be admitted in August 2015.
“The UK College of Nursing is one of only 20 nursing programs in the United States to receive HRSA funding for this type of veterans’ educational option," Dr. Hardin-Fanning said. "Our history of collaborating with campus and community veterans’ support partners, as well as our outstanding NCLEX pass rates, provided the framework for this option. I am proud that the University of Kentucky, College of Nursing Dean Janie Heath, faculty and staff; and the people of Kentucky recognize the sacrifices made by our veterans and are willing to work hard to ensure their success in civilian careers.”
The Med/Vet-to-BSN Option will help student veterans with military medical training move into civilian nursing positions. This option will reduce the time toward degree by at least one semester. The goals of this option are to develop nursing career development strategies specific to the veteran population and provide academic credit for prior training and experience.
The program will also assemble a network of groups/agencies to help student learning and program completion, and to enhance employment opportunities as well as provide undergraduate nursing faculty development that includes military culture, nursing care of veterans, end-of-life care for veterans, awareness of issues that may impact student learning and success, and awareness of campus and community veteran resources; and collaborate with on-campus and community veterans’ organizations to provide the best resources and support to Med/Vet-to-BSN students.
Written by: Ann Blackford, UK Public Relations
