University Of Alaska Anchorage: $2.1 Million Award Will Help Address Alaska's Nursing Shortage

Press release from the University of Alaska Anchorage:

January 19, 2022

1. About UAA

   1. 
      About UAA
      
      

      UAA is the premier university in the heart of Alaska's largest city with campuses throughout
      Southcentral Alaska. Where culture, innovation and adventure converge, the unique
      locations provide unparalleled access to industry connections, Arctic research, outdoor
      recreation and more, facilitating once-in-a-lifetime experiences, groundbreaking education and
      impactful careers.

Popular links

1. UAA 2025: Strategic Plan
2. Chancellor
3. Equity, Compliance and Title IX

Popular links

1. Visit and Tour
2. Academic Programs
3. Transfer to UAA
4. FAFSA, Aid and Scholarships

Locations

1. Enrollment Services Center

1. 
   About UAA
   
   

   UAA is the premier university in the heart of Alaska's largest city with campuses throughout
   Southcentral Alaska. Where culture, innovation and adventure converge, the unique
   locations provide unparalleled access to industry connections, Arctic research, outdoor
   recreation and more, facilitating once-in-a-lifetime experiences, groundbreaking education and
   impactful careers.

   Popular links

   1. UAA 2025: Strategic Plan
   2. Chancellor
   3. Equity, Compliance and Title IX

2. About UAA

   ---

   1. Diversity and Inclusion
   2. Equity, Compliance and Title IX

3. Administration

   ---

   1. Chancellor
   2. Academic Affairs
   3. Administrative Services
   4. Advancement
   5. Student Affairs

4. Campuses

   ---

   1. Kenai Peninsula
   2. Kodiak
   3. Matanuska Susitna
   4. Prince William Sound

5. UAA 2025: Strategic Plan
   

   ---

   1. About UAA 2025
   2. Putting Students First
   3. 
      Embracing Diversity and
      Inclusion
      
   4. Community Partner
   5. Impact through Innovation
   6. 
      Excellence Through
      Continuous Improvement
      

1. UAA 2025: Strategic Plan
2. Chancellor
3. Equity, Compliance and Title IX

1. Diversity and Inclusion
2. Equity, Compliance and Title IX

1. Chancellor
2. Academic Affairs
3. Administrative Services
4. Advancement
5. Student Affairs

1. Kenai Peninsula
2. Kodiak
3. Matanuska Susitna
4. Prince William Sound

1. About UAA 2025
2. Putting Students First
3. 
   Embracing Diversity and
   Inclusion
   
4. Community Partner
5. Impact through Innovation
6. 
   Excellence Through
   Continuous Improvement
   

1. 
   Academics
   
   

   UAA offers more than 100 degree and certificate programs that consistently prepare students for success after
   graduation. State-of-the-art classroom instruction and hands-on learning collide in UAA's innovative academic
   programs, which feature unique courses that train students to lead Alaska into the future.

   Popular links

   1. Academic Programs
   2. Advising
   3. Dates and Deadlines
   4. Academic Affairs

2. Colleges and Schools

   ---

   1. Arts and Sciences
   2. Business and Public Policy
   3. Engineering
   4. Health
   5. Community and Technical
   6. Honors
   7. School of Education
   8. Graduate School

3. Provost

   ---

   1. Apprenticeship Programs
   2. Continuing Education
   3. Business Enterprise Institute

1. Academic Programs
2. Advising
3. Dates and Deadlines
4. Academic Affairs

1. Arts and Sciences
2. Business and Public Policy
3. Engineering
4. Health
5. Community and Technical
6. Honors
7. School of Education
8. Graduate School

1. Apprenticeship Programs
2. Continuing Education
3. Business Enterprise Institute

1. 
   Admissions and Financial Aid
   
   

   Learn more about admissions processes, taking
   classes, tour UAA in-person or virtually, and find out more about Financial Aid available at UAA. Whether you are a new or continuing student,
   the Office of Financial Aid is available to offer support and advice so you can make informed decisions regarding
   college funding options. Get help at the Enrollment Services Center: offering virtual and walk-in appointments to
   help students apply to UAA; get help with financial aid, scholarships, and the FAFSA.

   Popular links

   1. Visit and Tour
   2. Academic Programs
   3. Transfer to UAA
   4. FAFSA, Aid and Scholarships

   Locations

   1. Enrollment Services Center

2. Admissions

   ---

   1. How to Apply
   2. Transfer to UAA
   3. Academic Programs
   4. Visit and Tour
   5. Request more Info
   6. Contact Admissions

3. Financial Aid

   ---

   1. FAFSA, Aid and Scholarships
   2. Additional Payment Options
   3. Check your Status
   4. Student Responsibilities
   5. 
      Cost of Attendance, Aid Types and Planning Tools
      

1. Visit and Tour
2. Academic Programs
3. Transfer to UAA
4. FAFSA, Aid and Scholarships

1. Enrollment Services Center

1. How to Apply
2. Transfer to UAA
3. Academic Programs
4. Visit and Tour
5. Request more Info
6. Contact Admissions

1. FAFSA, Aid and Scholarships
2. Additional Payment Options
3. Check your Status
4. Student Responsibilities
5. 
   Cost of Attendance, Aid Types and Planning Tools
   

1. 
   Athletics
   
   

   From 13 competitive NCAA teams to recreation and intramural and club sports, students have the opportunity to
   excel in athletics at every level. The Alaska Airlines Center and Seawolf Sports Complex offer recreation as well
   as hosting community events and concerts. Students can take advantage of cheering for SeawolfNation with free
   tickets to many games.

   Popular links

   1. Seawolf Online Store
   2. Recreation
   3. Intramurals

   Locations

   1. Alaska Airlines Center
   2. Seawolf Sports Complex

2. Go Seawolves

   ---

   1. Upcoming Seawolves Games
   2. Tickets
   3. Staff Directory

3. Women's Sports

   ---

   1. Basketball
   2. Cross Country
   3. Gymnastics
   4. Skiing
   5. Track and Field
   6. Volleyball

4. Men's Sports

   ---

   1. Basketball
   2. Cross Country
   3. Hockey
   4. Skiing
   5. Track and Field

1. Seawolf Online Store
2. Recreation
3. Intramurals

1. Alaska Airlines Center
2. Seawolf Sports Complex

1. Upcoming Seawolves Games
2. Tickets
3. Staff Directory

1. Basketball
2. Cross Country
3. Gymnastics
4. Skiing
5. Track and Field
6. Volleyball

1. Basketball
2. Cross Country
3. Hockey
4. Skiing
5. Track and Field

1. 
   Research
   
   

   UAA is a hub for cutting-edge theoretical and applied research in health, engineering, and the physical and
   social sciences. In nearly every discipline, undergraduate and graduate students have the opportunity to join
   research teams and collaborate with experienced faculty mentors.

1. Sponsored Programs
2. Research Integrity and Compliance
3. Graduate School

1. 
   Student Services
   
   

   Explore the wide variety of services and resources available at UAA to help promote your
   academic and personal
   success and well-being. From academic advising to student clubs and residence life, we're
   here to help you have an
   amazing university experience.

   Popular links

   1. Advising
   2. Bookstore
   3. Dates and Deadlines
   4. Transcripts
   5. USUAA Student Governance
   6. Library
   7. 
      Student Health and
      Counseling Center
      

   Locations

   1. Student Union
   2. Enrollment Services Center
   3. Student Health and Counseling Center

2. Current Students

   ---

   1. Advising
   2. Bookstore
   3. Registration, Dates and Deadlines
   4. Military and Veteran Student Services
   5. Degree Progress
   6. Transfer Credit
   7. Graduation
   8. Career Services

3. Student Life

   ---

   1. Engage
   2. Organizations and Clubs
   3. Activities and Programs
   4. Student Union
   5. Multicultural Student Services
   6. Recreation

4. Residence Life

   ---

   1. Housing Options
   2. Apply for Housing
   3. Current Residents
   4. Info for Parents/Guardians
   5. Contact Residence Life

5. Student Leadership
   

   ---

   1. USUAA Student Governance
   2. Student Media
   3. Concert Board
   4. Green Fee Board
   5. Club Council
   6. Emerging Leaders Program

1. Advising
2. Bookstore
3. Dates and Deadlines
4. Transcripts
5. USUAA Student Governance
6. Library
7. 
   Student Health and
   Counseling Center
   

1. Student Union
2. Enrollment Services Center
3. Student Health and Counseling Center

1. Advising
2. Bookstore
3. Registration, Dates and Deadlines
4. Military and Veteran Student Services
5. Degree Progress
6. Transfer Credit
7. Graduation
8. Career Services

1. Engage
2. Organizations and Clubs
3. Activities and Programs
4. Student Union
5. Multicultural Student Services
6. Recreation

1. Housing Options
2. Apply for Housing
3. Current Residents
4. Info for Parents/Guardians
5. Contact Residence Life

1. USUAA Student Governance
2. Student Media
3. Concert Board
4. Green Fee Board
5. Club Council
6. Emerging Leaders Program

1. 
   Alaska Natives
   
   

   Located in the ancestral homelands of the Dena'ina, Ahtna Dene, Alutiiq/Sugpiak, Chugachmiut and Eyak peoples,
   Alaska Native curriculum at UAA provides an in-depth perspective on contemporary Alaska Native societies,
   languages, cultures, history, politics, art, governments and corporations.

2. Academic Programs

   ---

   1. 
      Alaska Native Studies
      — Anchorage Campus
      
   2. 
      Alaska Native Studies
      — Kenai Peninsula College
      
   3. 
      Alutiiq Studies — Kodiak
      College
      
   4. Alaska Native Business Management Minor

3. Student Support

   ---

   1. Native Student Services
   2. Alaska Native Science & Engineering Program (ANSEP)
   3. 
      Alaska Native
      Community Advancement in Psychology (ANCAP)
      
   4. 
      Alaska Native, Indigenous & Rural Outreach
      Program (ANIROP)
      
   5. 
      Recruitment and Retention of
      Alaska Natives into Nursing (RRANN)
      

1. 
   Alaska Native Studies
   — Anchorage Campus
   
2. 
   Alaska Native Studies
   — Kenai Peninsula College
   
3. 
   Alutiiq Studies — Kodiak
   College
   
4. Alaska Native Business Management Minor

1. Native Student Services
2. Alaska Native Science & Engineering Program (ANSEP)
3. 
   Alaska Native
   Community Advancement in Psychology (ANCAP)
   
4. 
   Alaska Native, Indigenous & Rural Outreach
   Program (ANIROP)
   
5. 
   Recruitment and Retention of
   Alaska Natives into Nursing (RRANN)
   

View the slideshow on SmugMug.(All photos by James Evans, Chief of Photography and Videography, University of Alaska
Anchorage)

Alaska has a shortage of nurses. Even though UAA has graduated thousands of registered
nurses and hundreds of advanced practice nurses over 50 years, the state continues
to grapple with vacancies. In 2017, a study by the National Center for Health Workforce
Analysis projected Alaska would lead the nation in nursing vacancies by 2030 with
22.7% unfilled positions. This past fall, the state resorted to contracting nearly
300 out-of-state registered nurses to alleviate a strain on hospitals driven by the
pandemic.

To help deal with a dearth of nurses, Gov. Mike Dunleavy in December announced the
state will award  $2.1 million from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Funds
to the University of Alaska Anchorage College of Health to support nursing faculty
recruitment and retention. This initiative aims to build the School of Nursing’s capacity
to produce more nurses and meet the increasing health care workforce demand across
the state.

“Alaska’s health care system depends on qualified, highly trained nurses providing
skilled and compassionate care each and every day,” said Governor Dunleavy in a press
release. “Graduates from the UAA nursing program are highly regarded medical professionals,
the more of them we can train here in Alaska, the stronger our health care system
will be.”

Alaska, like the rest of the nation, is experiencing a shortage of nursing faculty,
impacting nursing program delivery and capacity. UAA typically has two to three times
as many qualified nursing program applicants as the number of seats available. The
grant addresses this challenge by providing additional resources for recruitment and
retention of nursing faculty.

"Building a sufficient and stable faculty is essential in being able to develop innovative
instructional strategies, expand clinical learning opportunities and provide consistent
quality education for nurses," said Kendra Sticka, UAA's associate dean of clinical
health sciences.

The funding will provide incentives such as relocation allowances and signing bonuses
for 23 new nursing faculty members or current faculty relocating to areas of high
need. Tuition assistance will support the development of “home grown” faculty, expanding
the pool of faculty candidates. Additionally, loan forgiveness will be made available
to new and current faculty members.

"Thank you to Gov. Dunleavy for recognizing the critically important role that UAA
plays in educating health and behavioral health professionals for Alaska," said UAA
Chancellor Sean Parnell. "This investment in recruitment and retention packages will
provide a mechanism to attract and retain qualified faculty in these essential fields
in Alaska now and for the future."

This press release was produced by the University of Alaska Anchorage. The views expressed here are the author’s own.