SUNY awards more than $3.2 million to campuses to expand enrollment in nursing programs

ALBANY, N.Y. — Five regional SUNY campuses are among those awarded system funding to expand enrollment for nursing programs.

The system has awarded a total of more than $3.2 million in funding to campuses that include Upstate Medical University, Onondaga Community College, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, Jefferson Community College, and SUNY Broome.

All SUNY campuses with nursing programs were eligible to submit proposals for one-time grants of up to $250,000 from the SUNY Nursing Emergency Training Fund. The winning proposals included plans to expand the number of spaces available in nursing programs.

SUNY on Wednesday announced the funding during National Hospitals Week and Nurses Week.

The money represents the first round of grants from its Nursing Emergency Training Fund to expand campus health-care programs for in-demand nursing careers.

Health-care employment opportunities are projected to grow at a rate of 16 percent —”faster than all other occupations through 2030,” SUNY said.

During her State of the State address, Gov. Kathy Hochul set a goal to grow the state’s health-care workforce by 20 percent over the next five years. As part of that goal, SUNY campuses are working to increase enrollment capacity amongst its medical programs.

SUNY graduates about 10,000 health professionals each year, per its announcement.

Other campuses awarded funding include SUNY Adirondack, Alfred State College,

University at Buffalo, Columbia Greene Community College, SUNY Delhi,

Dutchess Community College, Finger Lakes Community College, Fulton Montgomery Community College, Hudson Valley Community College, Nassau Community College, and Rockland Community College.