The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has awarded a $1.39 million grant to Florida International University (FIU) Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Sciences to implement the Advanced Nursing Education Workforce (ANEW) program. This unique, two-year nursing education initiative will prepare advanced practice nurses to provide primary care in rural and underserved areas through academic and clinical training.
Designed specifically in response to health care challenges in rural America, the ANEW program fosters an innovative academic practice partnership model for achieving better access to and delivery of health care. Select FIU graduate nursing students will receive traineeship awards through a competitive application process matching them with rural primary health care sites in Hendry and Glades counties – two of Florida’s least populated and poorest communities – to receive unique clinical training.
ANEW builds upon an existing partnership with county leaders on a rural health research project that began in 2015 known as “Building Better Health for Florida Families,” which was developed and led by ANEW Grant Project Director Tami Thomas, PhD, RN, FAANP, FAAN, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs for the College. Dr. Thomas explained that there is a great need for access to health care for rural families and a lack of awareness in health care professionals on the rewarding opportunities beyond urban and metropolitan settings.
