March 27, 2025

Nursing Program Receives $750,000 from West Virginia’s Nursing Workforce Expansion Program

WHEELING, W.Va., March 27 – Wheeling University has been awarded $750,000 through West Virginia’s Nursing Workforce Expansion Program, which is designed to address the state’s nursing shortage through a multifaceted approach to attract, train and retain nurses in the Mountain State.

President Dianna M. Vargo, Ed.D. said, “Wheeling University is grateful to the State of West Virginia and the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission for providing this essential funding that will enhance our nursing program.” 

According to the Nursing Workforce Expansion Program, it established this award program three years ago to fund nursing program expansion projects at colleges, universities, schools of nursing and career technical education centers across West Virginia.  

Through this grant Wheeling University’s Nursing program will use the funding to expand its enrollment, increase simulation experiences for nursing students, update the curriculum, recruit and retain nursing faculty and increase NCLEX pass rates. 

Director of Nursing Programs Jill Emery said, “This funding empowers Wheeling University to help build a sustainable, well-educated workforce, which is crucial for meeting the community’s growing healthcare demands. We wish to thank the HEPC for this funding which will impact health care in communities across the state.”

Twenty-three grant awards were distributed to nursing programs statewide for the third year of the program. Funded projects build upon progress made in the first two years and are focused on increasing enrollment in pre-licensure nursing programs, timely degree completion and licensure for graduates.

Since its launch, West Virginia’s Nursing Workforce Expansion Program has helped yield a nearly 25 percent increase in filled seats at nursing programs across the state.The nursing program expansion awards, made possible by funding from the West Virginia Legislature, are administered by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and Community and Technical College System.