In a bold move to address the pressing challenges facing the nursing workforce, the American Nurses Credentialing Center
(ANCC) has announced an exciting new initiative to enhance health outcomes across New York State. The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, the state’s largest grantmaking organization focused on vulnerable communities, is premiering its Nursing Initiative—a groundbreaking grant program designed to support safety net hospitals that provide vital care to high-need populations.
Under this initiative, selected hospitals will have the opportunity to receive up to $5 million each to pursue prestigious national nursing accreditation programs, including the Magnet Recognition Program® and the Pathway to Excellence® program. Additionally, the funding will enable these hospitals to implement or expand vital virtual nursing and nurse residency programs, ultimately bolstering their workforce and enhancing workplace culture.
“Patients and the overall health of our community can’t thrive without a strong healthcare workforce, and it is important that we start implementing concepts and solutions that can evolve over time to meet the unique needs of New York’s health systems,” says Msgr. Gregory Mustaciuolo, Chief Executive Officer of the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation. “There is no one-size-fits-all strategy to solve the workforce issue, but philanthropic commitments like our Nursing Initiative are vital, as they recognize the direct connection between a healthy workforce and improving health outcomes that will reduce health disparities throughout New York State.”
The Nursing Initiative was established in response to a healthcare workforce report conducted in collaboration with the University at Albany’s Center for Health Workforce Studies. The report revealed a concerning statistic: 15% of registered nurses in hospitals aged 20 to 39 plan to leave their positions within the next year. This underscores the urgent need for solutions to prevent further declines in the nursing workforce. Despite significant investments to address healthcare workforce shortages, New York faces challenges in strengthening its registered nursing workforce.
“On behalf of the American Nurses Credentialing Center, we are very grateful for this new grant program sponsored by the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation,” says Rebecca Graystone, PhD, MBA, RN, NE-BC, Senior Vice President of Accreditation & Organization Credentialing at ANCC. “Both Magnet Recognition® and Pathway to Excellence® designations are premier credentialing programs that recognize health systems demonstrating the highest standards of professionalism, safety, and investment in the nursing workforce, dramatically improving patient outcomes. The Magnet designation and the Pathway to Excellence designation mean the very best in care delivery by nurses who are supported to practice at their very best. Through the generous support of this grant, I am truly excited to see even more healthcare systems, particularly safety net organizations, have the opportunity to achieve this prestigious recognition.”
The Nursing Initiative is structured to be adaptable, focusing on three key investment areas that will directly benefit patient care. Only some hospitals serving a high percentage of Medicaid-eligible patients have achieved Magnet Status or Pathway to Excellence recognition. Awarded hospitals must pursue one of these frameworks to promote excellence in nursing and workplace environments. Additionally, the funding can support optional paths toward virtual nursing and nurse residency programs.
The Foundation encourages proposals from hospitals at any stage of their journey toward accreditation, whether they are just beginning to explore their options or already pursuing these esteemed designations. Grant recipients will be announced in 2025.
To learn more about the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet and Pathway to Excellence programs, visit nursingworld.org.
The post Empowering Healthcare: ANCC Launches $5 Million Grant Program to Transform Nursing Workforce first appeared on Daily Nurse.