Shaheen, Kuster Deliver Critical Funding to New England College To Address State-Wide Nursing Shortage
**$2,000,000 Secured by Shaheen and Kuster will support the expansion of New England College’s Nursing Program**
**Today, NEC announced a new partnership to train nursing staff for Elliot Hospital**
(Concord, NH) — Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) celebrated a $2,000,000 grant to New England College that will help NEC increase its capacity to educate and prepare highly trained nursing professionals. New Hampshire, much like the rest of the country, is facing a severe health care workforce shortage that has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The renovation of the 35,250-square-foot science facility at NEC will allow the school to increase its program capacity from 40 students per cohort to 120 per cohort, tripling the number of Licensed Nursing Assistants (LNAs) and BSN-trained Registered Nurses. This is critical to address the important need for more health care professionals.
This comes as NEC announces a new partnership with Elliot Hospital in Manchester. NEC has existing partnerships with Concord Hospital and Catholic Medical Center.
“The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the glaring shortages in our health care workforce, especially the need for nurses in New Hampshire and across the country. We must make investments to ensure our Granite State communities have access to the care they need to stay healthy at all times,” said Senator Shaheen. “I’m proud to have worked to secure this $2 million award for New England College to train the next generation of nurses.”
“We know that hospitals and health care facilities across New Hampshire are understaffed and in need of additional support,” said Congresswoman Kuster. “That’s why I was proud to secure $2,000,000 for New England College to help increase its program capacity to educate and prepare more highly trained nursing professionals. With these new resources and this new partnership with Elliot Hospital, we will have more well-trained nurses out in the field and serving our communities.”
“New England College is committed to providing educational opportunities that meet the demands of our community, our state, and our nation. I applaud and appreciate the support we have received through this initiative from our elected officials,” said Dr. Wayne F. Lesperance, Jr., President of New England College. “This collaboration with Elliot Health represents an important contribution to meet the growing demand for nurses in health care settings.”
“Health care organizations rely on prepared, skilled staff to fulfill their missions, but many factors have complicated the ability to find the staff that is needed. This partnership with New England College will help to build and sustain talent now and well into the future,” said Dr. Greg Baxter, President and CEO of Elliot Health System. “By working together, we all win, and most importantly, we all can serve and heal our communities even more effectively. We are pleased to join New England College in this partnership, and we look forward to welcoming New England College students to our organization."
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