Kevin Schwaller
PEORIA - The Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded a $2.8 million grant to Methodist College on Monday to recruit and train nursing students and current registered nurses in community-based primary care.
The announcement was made by Congressman Darin LaHood and Methodist College Interim Chancellor Dr. Deborah Garrison at a press conference on the Methodist College campus.
“The management and prevention of chronic disease is moving into community-based primary care,” Methodist College Interim Chancellor Dr. Deborah Garrison said. “It is imperative that we educate and equip our nursing students and practicing nurses to take the lead in supporting and guiding patients to achieve optimal health.”
The new program will educate undergraduate nursing students who want to work in non-hospital settings to improve access to primary health care in medically underserved communities. Students will take specific coursework as part of the program and, in partnership with UnityPoint Clinics and other community-based primary care providers, they will receive clinical experiences with an emphasis on chronic disease prevention and control, including mental health and substance use conditions.
Upon successful completion of the curriculum, students will earn a certificate in community-based primary care.
The program will also offer continuing education to current registered nurses with the goal to achieve a sustainable primary care nursing workforce equipped to address pressing national public health issues and the shortage of registered nurses.
