The Wisconsin Nurse Educator Program is an initiative by the Administrators of Nursing Education in Wisconsin (ANEW) and the Wisconsin Nurses Association (WNA) to support the education of nurses in Wisconsin. The state has approved funds to offset the expenses of nurses enrolled full-time in PhD, DNP or master’s Nurse Educator programs by providing funds and opportunities to Wisconsin students.
To support the education of nurses in Wisconsin, the state has approved $5 million to offset expenses of nurses enrolled full time in PhD, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), or master’s Nurse Educator programs. Administrators of Nursing Education of Wisconsin (ANEW) and Wisconsin Nurses Association (WNA) have collaborated for several years to advance this initiative. It is an exciting opportunity for the state of Wisconsin.
Students must be admitted to approved programs (see links below). PhD students are eligible for $50,000, DNP students $40,000 and MSN NE students $30,000. The awards are discreet amounts, not variable. Funds may be used to cover the cost of tuition as well as expenses related to school such as books, travel, childcare, etc. Students must maintain full-time enrollment and must commit to teaching at an approved Wisconsin-based school for at least three years post-graduation.
The funds are distributed through the Wisconsin Higher Educational Aids Board (HEAB). Application forms will be found on the HEAB website starting July 15, 2022. Applications will be reviewed and approved on a first-come, first-served basis with dollars available for fall 2022 enrollment. Applications will be received until all funds are distributed. Funds will be dispersed in the fall and spring semesters of the 2022-23 academic year. Applicants are responsible for budgeting use of funds to extend throughout the program of study.
Read about the nursing faculty shortage in an article by Linda D. Scott, Wisconsin Board of Nursing, in the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services bulletin.
Guidelines for the Wisconsin Nurse Educator Program Initiative
(Audience: Nursing Students, Faculty, Administration)
1. Eligibility Criteria:
a. Admitted to an eligible nursing program (MSN-Nurse Educator, DNP, PhD).
b. Commitment to the teaching requirement time frames for full-time and part-time faculty appointments.
c. Full-time student as defined by the nursing program.
d. New and current students are eligible.
2. Process:
a. College verifies eligibility and commitment to nursing education role.
i. Student submits a short essay to nursing advisor on commitment to nursing education.
ii. Forms for student application will be found on HEAB website. Contact financial aid for clarification if questions.
iii. Students submit completed forms to the financial aid office.
iv. Meet with financial aid office after meeting with nursing advisor.
b. Financial aid office will notify HEAB of student applications.
c. HEAB approves funding and will notify financial aid office.
d. Financial aid office will notify student.
e. The funds will be disbursed at the beginning of the semester (fall and spring).
f. Student awardee submits annual documents to verify enrollment in program and submits the documents to HEAB.
3. Teaching requirement/commitment:
a. ANEW will provide HEAB a list of qualified nursing programs to fulfill the teaching requirement.
b. HEAB will send a letter to the employer for employment verification.
c. The teaching commitment for full-time educators is three years, six years for part-time.
d. One year deferment will be allowed for DNP-APNP in direct practice role.
e. Inability to fulfill the teaching requirement will result in financial payback.
Frequently Asked Questions:
ELEGIBILITY
Are international students eligible to receive funds?
Answer: No. It is like federal and state funding requirements.
Is funding prorated depending on where a student is at in the program?
Answer: No. All students are eligible for the full amount. They must be full-time nursing students to be eligible. Students should request the amount of funds allocated for their program of study.
Does the student need to meet the full-time requirement of the nursing program they apply to in order to be eligible for the funds? Answer: Yes, the student needs to meet the full-time requirement of the program. It is important that the student know what is defined as full-time for their specific program. The required number of credits for full-time status varies across programs statewide.
If a student does not meet the full-time equivalent with the offered program courses, must the extra credits be at the graduate level?
Answer: Yes, all courses need to be at the graduate level and could be independent or directed study credits.
Can students who work as TAs (teaching assistants) also apply for funds?
Answer: Yes. The amounts for this year are predetermined and not dependent on other funding streams.
Are there limits to the number of hours a student works outside of full-time study?
Answer: No. The student must remain a full-time student. Outside activities are not regulated.
LICENSURE
Must students pass NCLEX to teach in Wisconsin?
Answer: Yes. The goal of this program is to provide Nurse Educators for Wisconsin. To teach nursing courses, faculty must be licensed or eligible for a Wisconsin nursing license, and that requires successfully passing the NCLEX exam.
TEACHING COMMITMENT REQUIREMENT
Are students assured of a teaching position at a specific school?
Answer: No. Many schools have faculty vacancies; however, a school cannot be expected to hold a position for a current student or assure that a position is available that aligns with the student’s areas of expertise. Positions are available throughout Wisconsin and students may complete the teaching commitment requirement at any eligible school in the state. This may require relocation.
How do I secure a teaching position after I graduate?
Answer: Students will need to apply and interview for positions as usual. The list of Administrators of Nursing Education in Wisconsin (ANEW) eligible schools is available on the ANEW website. Students may do their teaching requirement at ANY eligible school in Wisconsin. https://wisconsinanew.wordpress.com/
What is the definition of part-time when considering the payback requirements?
Answer: Part-time is a .5 FTE commitment.
PROCESS
Is financial need a consideration?
Answer: No. Financial need is not a requirement.
Are there any limits to how far along the students can be in their programs to apply for funding?
Answer: As long as you are full time, you are eligible. PhD students who are in dissertator status full-time are still eligible to apply. Students must be accepted into the identified qualifying nursing programs to be eligible for this funding.
When will the student funds be dispersed?
Answer: Half of the funding will be provided during fall semester and the second half during of spring semester.
How are allocations awarded?
Answer: Each university has set allocations of funds. These funds will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. https://heab.state.wi.us/
How does the student access funds?
Answer: Funds will be deposited into the student’s account.
How soon after a funding application will the student be notified?
Answer: A month after the completed and approved application is submitted.
GENERAL FUNDING QUESTIONS
How many students may a school fund with this money this year?
Answer: Each school is allocated a specific amount of dollars per program. If there is sufficient student interest, all the funds for that school and program may be exhausted in the first year.
What happens if one of the programs does not receive enough applicants for the funding, can the money go to other programs?
Answer: Unused funds that are allocated to a school will be reviewed by HEAB and reallocated to a school with applicants.
Are there restrictions on what the funds can be used for?
Answer: No, funds are available to support costs such as tuition, books, housing, transportation, supplies, childcare.
What happens if a student drops out of a program, drops to part-time or GPA falls?
Answer: The student is expected to be full-time. If the student does not maintain full-time status during the year of funding, they will need to meet with their faculty advisor, and the circumstance be brought to the Wisconsin Nurse Educator Program Implementation Committee for review. A student who drops out of a program of study will be expected to repay funds to HEAB. If the students GPA jeopardizes their ability to complete a degree, the student will be expected to repay funds to HEAB.
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