Central Methodist University’s nursing program will receive $200,000 as part of $3.1 million in grant funding by the Missouri State Board of Nursing. The board announced that 21 Missouri colleges and universities will receive $3.1 million in grant funding through the Nursing Education Incentive Program (NEIP), advancing the state’s efforts to recruit, train, and retain a high-quality nursing workforce.

The money will support additional faculty lines, a full-time student success coach, and clinical faculty positions at CMU.

Since 2011, the board has awarded more than $27 million in NEIP grants to expand nursing program capacity and pilot new education programs. This year’s awards include $1 million in funding approved by Governor Mike Kehoe through an appropriation by the Missouri General Assembly, as well as an additional $2.1 million allocated from the board.

“Missouri is fortunate to have a Governor and legislators who understand and support investing in nursing education,” Missouri State Board of Nursing Executive Director Lori Scheidt said. “We are also grateful to the Missouri Hospital Association and the Missouri Nurses Association for their continued partnership and support. This program represents a coordinated effort among stakeholders, educators, regulators, and lawmakers alike to strengthen Missouri’s nursing pipeline and keep pace with evolving technologies in health care.”

The board prioritized supporting as many programs as possible during the FY25 grant cycle, benefiting seven associate degree programs at community colleges and two-year institutions and 14 Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs at four-year universities.

“The acute care nursing shortage cannot be solved unless nursing programs have a reliable stream of nursing graduates. Nursing programs are facing a shortage of both nursing students and qualified nursing faculty and struggling to maintain clinical placements in urban areas,” Missouri State Board of Nursing Director of Education Amy Ackerson said.

“These grant funds will allow nursing programs to develop competitive faculty salary packages, develop recruitment and retention strategies, develop future faculty through scholarships and nursing educator programs, and invest in clinical simulation technology and equipment,” Ackerson added.

Other nursing programs funded this year:

Research College of Nursing, Kansas City, MO – $64,730 - Development and launch of a Quality Matters–aligned course review initiative to improve instructional quality and expand online BSN education.

Metropolitan Community College, Kansas City, MO – $99,943 - Technology investments to increase NCLEX pass rates.

State Technical College of Missouri, Linn, MO – $100,000 - Virtual reality equipment and faculty development.

Jefferson College, Hillsboro, MO – $125,000 - Technology resources to support instructional enhancement and professional development.

William Jewell College, Liberty, MO – $137,000 - Quality Matters investment, simulation lab upgrades, and clinical instructor salary packages.

Southeast Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Cape Girardeau, MO – $150,000 - Faculty development, simulation coordinator salary, and expanded clinical placements.

Crowder College, Neosho, MO – $150,000 - Hybrid LPN-to-RN program development and instructional design.

Ozarks Technical Community College Direct Entry, Springfield, MO – $50,000 - Simulation lab upgrades.

Lincoln University, Jefferson City, MO – $150,000 - Scholarships for MSN and DNP students and laptops for BSN students.

Southwest Baptist University, Springfield, MO – $200,000 - Faculty retention bonus program.

University of Missouri–Sinclair School of Nursing, Columbia, MO – $200,000 - Expansion of BSN program with new evening/weekend option.

Rockhurst University, Kansas City, MO – $200,000 - Expansion of Accelerated BSN Program, RN Return to Practice Program, and dual-credit nursing exploration program.

Bolivar Technical College, Bolivar, MO – $200,000 - High school student scholarships, preceptor payment program, and technology investments.

University of Missouri–Kansas City, Kansas City, MO – $150,000 - Scholarships for MSN/PhD students and simulation lab technology updates.

College of the Ozarks, Point Lookout, MO – $173,327 - Scholarships, standardized patient programming, and faculty salary support.

Maryville University, St. Louis, MO – $150,000 - Simulation lab technology enhancements.

Missouri Western University, St. Joseph, MO – $150,000 - Standardized patient simulation program and wearable simulators.

Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College, St. Louis, MO – $150,000 - Nurse educator faculty expansion, wearable simulators, and competency-based curriculum development.

Columbia College, Columbia, MO – $150,000 - Instructional technology enhancements and program enrollment expansion.

Missouri Baptist University, St. Louis, MO – $150,000 - Additional faculty and expanded simulation and instructional technology.

The NEIP is an annual grant program designed to increase the physical and educational capacity of professional nursing programs throughout the state. The Missouri State Board of Nursing coordinates with the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development to determine annual recipients.

The Missouri State Board of Nursing is a part of the Division of Professional Registration, a division of the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance (DCI). The board works to protect public health and safety by regulating nursing education, licensure, and practice.