Virginia will shift oversight of several nursing scholarship programs to the Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority after state officials found that millions of dollars allocated to the programs had gone unused, according to a June 9 report from Cardinal News.
Here are five things to know:
- About $10.6 million in unused funds had accumulated across four nursing scholarship programs as of June 2, according to the Virginia Department of Health.
- About 60% of the health workforce incentive programs administered by the Virginia Department of Health will transfer to the Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority in July.
- The nursing scholarship initiatives were designed to increase the number of nurses entering the workforce and support regions, particularly rural communities, facing chronic healthcare staffing shortages, according to the legislation authorizing the transfer.
- Healthcare jobs account for 13% of job vacancies statewide and 25% in Southside Virginia. Demand for nursing staff in Southwest Virginia is projected to increase by 18% between 2018 and 2028, compared with 11.8% statewide, according to Cardinal News.
- A 2024 Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission report also found that 96% of payments in the Nursing Preceptor Incentive Program were processed later than the state’s 30-day prompt-pay requirement.
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.