TTUHSC Veteran Nursing Program Receives More Than $1 Million Grant

The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) School of Nursing Veteran to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (VBSN) program has received a $1,040,615 grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The program is an accelerated track for veterans with military medical experience who are looking to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing, beginning spring 2016.

The HRSA Nurse Education, Practice, Quality and Retention (NEPQR) grant is awarded to academic, service and continuing education projects designed to enhance nursing education, improve the quality of patient care, increase nurse retention and strengthen the nursing workforce. The NEPQR program seeks to broadly advance the nursing workforce by supporting programs that create opportunities in the nursing profession.

Many veterans have extensive military medical training and experience, but until now these individuals have found it difficult to translate the knowledge gained in the military into civilian course credit hours. By acknowledging prior medical military service as a means of fulfilling Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) requirements, TTUHSC School of Nursing offers an opportunity for veterans who wish to attain a BSN degree, but already have experience and skill that exceeds that of most traditional undergraduate nursing students. The program’s ability to allow more highly qualified nurses to quickly enter the workforce is incredibly relevant as Texas continues to face a persistent nursing shortage.