Nursing department master’s program receives OSHPD grant

Nursing department’s master’s program received a $96,000 grant from the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development

By California State University, Bakersfield

December 11^th, 2020

The nursing department’s master’s program has received a $96,000 grant from the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development, which also ranked the program’s submission number one out of 26 applications.

Part of California State University Bakersfield’s School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Engineering, the nursing department has received grants from OSHPD since 2014 to support its family nurse practitioner graduate program. OSHPD gives grants to further its mission to expand healthcare access to Californians in need.

“We’re grateful for the support that we receive from OSHPD,” said Dr. Heidi He, director of CSUB graduate nursing program. “With their ongoing support, we’re able to have a quality program that serves the community.”

The $96,000 granted to CSUB’s Master of Science in Nursing program was the maximum amount possible for programs of its size. Its number one ranking is out of programs of all sizes.

Dr. He, who submitted the grant application along with colleague Dr. Annie Huynh, said the reason the MSN program ranked first is because it shares similar goals with OSHPD: attracting students from underrepresented communities, training them in underserved areas, and then placing graduates into those areas

“Our mission and their mission are aligned,” Dr. He said.

With the grant, which is for the 2021-2022 academic year, the program will fund equipment, resources, and the department’s full-time post-licensure adviser. In a year as uncertain as 2020 has been, the funding is more important than ever.

The California Healthcare Workforce Policy Commission recommends funding awards for multiple medical disciplines under the Song-Brown Healthcare Workforce Training Act, which funds institutions that train medical professionals to provide care in medically underserved areas of the state.

“In a time of pandemic, economic instability and health care uncertainty, Song-Brown funding supports improved access for underserved and vulnerable populations,” said Dr. William Henning, chair of the California Healthcare Workforce Policy Commission. “Recognizing the valuable contributions made by California nurse practitioners and physician assistants to underserved communities, Song-Brown funds now support almost 17 nurse practitioner and physician assistant programs annually and has funded 622 new positions since 2017.”