Gov. Healey to increase funding for nursing faculty to grow instructor capacity

Governor Maura Healey announced at Worcester State University that her administration will increase state funding for nursing faculty to expand instructor capacity and train more nurses.

"So the particular announcement that we're making is that we're gonna increase funding for nursing faculty so that we can have the instructors to train the students like Justin and others who want to fulfill this incredibly meaningful career," Healey said, citing the need for more faculty to scale student enrollment into the workforce. She framed the move as part of a 12-point package of initial recommendations from a working group on health-care affordability that she convened earlier this year.

Healey said the faculty funding complements earlier investments in simulation equipment and program expansion, and that building instructor capacity is essential to turning enrollment dollars into more practicing nurses. She also urged stakeholders to bring forward "real recommendations" that can reduce costs for families and employers.

The announcement follows state efforts including expanded community-college training, targeted grants to increase nursing enrollment and loan-repayment programs intended to retain health-care workers. Healey opened the event by praising Worcester State's nursing program and said the state will continue to pursue short-, medium- and long-term options to lower health-care costs and increase access to primary care.