HHS program will help veterans become nurses

A new Health and Human Services program will assist military veterans with healthcare experience or training, such as medics, to pursue nursing careers. The program, announced by HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius at the April 29 White House Forum on Military Credentialing and Licensing, is designed to help veterans get bachelor’s degrees in nursing by building on their unique skills and abilities.

The Veterans’ Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program helps veterans formalize their healthcare skills and training, while growing the nursing workforce, Sebelius said. The program will fund up to nine cooperative agreements of up to $350,000 a year. Funding will go to accredited schools of nursing to increase veterans’ enrollment in and completion of baccalaureate nursing programs, and to explore ways to award academic credit for prior military healthcare experience or training. The institutions will also train faculty to provide mentorships and other supportive services.

Source: HHS