UArizona Nursing Receives $2.6M Grant to Support Doctor of Nursing Practice Students' Clinical Placements
The University of Arizona College of Nursing was one of 50 institutions nationwide to receive a Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant to increase the number and diversity of family nurse practitioner (FNP), psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP), and certified nurse midwife (CNM) students trained with University of Arizona - College of Nursing federally qualified health center (FQHC) partners in Southern Arizona. The project will use the $2.6 million in funding to deploy immersive managed practice adaptable clinical training (IMPACT) starting in the spring semester of 2024.
The students in the College's Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program will be prepared through immersive education and training to provide primary care services, mental health and substance use disorder care, and maternal health care for the diverse populations in the rural, border, and medically underserved communities in Southern Arizona.
“The grant will also help us establish a longitudinal clinical placement model. Students will be with the same clinical partner for 12 months, providing a stable clinical learning environment that promotes clinical and academic success," ~ Lindsay Bouchard , DNP, PMHNP-BC, RN
"Students will receive $25,000 to support their clinical year," said Allen Prettyman, PhD, Project Director, who developed the grant proposal, along with Lindsay Bouchard, DNP. "That covers books, tuition, and expenses to decrease barriers to travel and engage with rural and underserved communities."
"Many students have financial responsibilities and are still working as they complete the DNP program," said Dr. Bouchard. "This funding will allow them to focus on their studies and clinical rotations more fully. We are grateful to have established and grown a network of clinical partners through this grant. The grant funding also provides financial support for our community partners."
The project has two objectives: The first is to provide 12 months of immersive clinical training rotations for diverse cohorts of students (19 per year) that support workforce development. The second is to support IMPACT healthcare partners in developing and retaining providers/preceptors from diverse backgrounds that align with their community population.
Allen Prettyman , PhD, FNP-BC, FAANP, FNAP and Lindsay Bouchard , DNP, PMHNP-BC, RN
"The grant will also help us establish a longitudinal clinical placement model," said Dr. Bouchard. "Students will be with the same clinical partner for 12 months, providing a stable clinical learning environment that promotes clinical and academic success."
UArizona Nursing's DNP program ranked #31 in the nation in the 2023-24 U.S. News & World Report college rankings, providing students with a broad foundation of educational preparation in the advanced care of the selected specialty population, nursing theories, evidence-based practice, and quality improvement methods. Upon degree completion, graduates can take the national certification exam and apply for licensure in the graduate's practice state.