The Missouri State Board of Nursing has awarded $3.1 million in grants to colleges and universities across the state as part of the Nursing Education Incentive Program (NEIP). The funding aims to expand nursing programs and support innovative educational approaches to help address the ongoing shortage of nursing professionals in Missouri.
According to the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance, Since 2011, more than $27 million has been awarded through NEIP grants. This year’s allocation includes $1 million approved by Governor Mike Kehoe, with the remainder provided by the State Board of Nursing. The grants will support seven associate degree programs and 14 Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs across Missouri.
Lori Scheidt, Executive Director of the Missouri State Board of Nursing, noted the bipartisan support from the Governor and state legislators. She highlighted that this support, along with collaborations with key health associations, reflects a coordinated effort to advance healthcare education in the state to meet evolving technological needs. Scheidt stated, “Missouri is fortunate to have a Governor and legislators who understand and support investing in nursing education,” as noted in the official announcement.
Amy Ackerson, Director of Education for the Missouri State Board of Nursing, emphasized the ongoing need for a steady supply of nursing graduates, citing a shortage of student nurses and qualified faculty in the state. The NEIP grants are intended to support improvements such as competitive faculty salaries, recruitment and retention initiatives, and scholarships for nursing educators, all aimed at sustaining and expanding nursing education in Missouri.
This year’s NEIP grant recipients include institutions such as Research College of Nursing and Metropolitan Community College in Kansas City, which received approximately $65,000 and $100,000, respectively, to support course quality improvements and technology enhancements aimed at improving NCLEX pass rates. In Jefferson City, Lincoln University received $150,000 to fund scholarships and technology for its nursing students. The State Board of Nursing provided a detailed funding breakdown highlighting the wide-reaching impact of these grants.
The NEIP aims to expand the physical and instructional capacity of professional nursing programs. Each year, the Missouri State Board of Nursing collaborates with the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development to select grant recipients. This effort is part of the broader mission of the Division of Professional Registration within the Department of Commerce and Insurance to protect public health through oversight of nursing education and practice standards.
