RSTC, UA partner to improve nursing instruction

Published 8:46 am Wednesday, November 1, 2023

Reid State Technical College, in partnership with the University of Alabama, is addressing the need to grow and diversify the nursing education workforce in Southwest Alabama. The University of Alabama was awarded over $3.5 million in funding from the Department of Labor to address the critical shortage of nurse educators in our state.

Dr. Susan Welch, associate professor with the Capstone College of Nursing, secured the funding from the department’s Employment and Training Administration’s Nursing Expansion Grant Program that supports innovative partnerships and strategies that expand and diversify America’s pipeline of qualified nursing professionals.

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing reports that only 17.3% of full-time nurse educators in the U.S. are from minority backgrounds. Additionally, one-third of the current nurse educator workforce is projected to retire by 2025.

Through this partnership clinical nurse instructors at Reid State Technical College can participate in the BAMA Distance program at the University of Alabama. Participants will have the opportunity to earn credentials to prepare them to step into future nurse faculty positions.

“This partnership highlights our commitment to not only producing highly skilled nurses but also nurturing the educators who will shape the future of nursing education,” says Dr. Coretta Boykin, president of Reid State Technical College.  “The demand for qualified nurse educators has never been higher, and this program provides us with a unique opportunity to make a significant impact. Together, we are taking a significant step towards bridging the gap in nurse educator shortages and ensuring the continued excellence of nursing education at Reid State Technical College.”