Hartwick College's development of a nursing program to train adults changing careers will be assisted by a $73,407 grant from the federal Appalachian Regional Commission.
"We are delighted that by awarding this grant, the Appalachian Regional Commission has recognized Hartwick College's long-standing commitment to high-quality, innovative, community-sensitive nurse education," said Hartwick President Margaret L. Drugovich.
The grant was announced on Friday by Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y.
The Strengthening the Rural Nursing Workforce project will offer a flexible program at Hartwick College, Drugovich said, that will help to recruit nursing students and encourage them to remain here as they pursue their careers. The program is scheduled to start in 2010, pending state Education Department approval.
The program will recruit 10 students per year. They will complete a bachelor's of nursing degree in just 18 months, Schumer said. Once under way, the program expects to gain 25 students per year and become self-sufficient, he said.
"Hartwick College is making a wise investment here, and I will do everything I can to get more funding for these kinds of programs that increase the number of nurses in New York," Schumer said.
