EL DORADO, Ark. — South Arkansas College has been awarded a federal grant of more than $1.5 million to expand nursing education opportunities and increase the nursing workforce in rural and underserved areas.
According to the college, the four-year grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Health Resources and Services Administration under the Nurse Education, Practice, Quality and Retention–Workforce Expansion Program.
College officials said the grant is intended to create an additional pathway for students to become registered nurses. The new pathway is designed to complement SouthArk’s existing LPN-to-RN bridge program by allowing students to pursue registered nurse licensure without first becoming licensed practical nurses.
The expanded nursing pathway is expected to help address workforce shortages while increasing access to nursing education for students across south Arkansas. Additional details about the program and application process are expected to be released at a later date.
