Nurse Education, Practice and Retention Grants (93.359)

Program

93.359 Nurse Education, Practice and Retention Grants

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Office: Health Resources and Services Administration

Authorization

Public Health Service Act, Title VIII, Section 831, 42 U.S.C. 296p, as amended; Nurse Reinvestment Act of 2002, Public Law 107-205.

Program Number

93.359

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

Nurse Education, Practice and Retention Program (NEPR)
Grants are awarded to eligible applicant organizations for projects to strengthen and enhance the capacity for nurse education, practice and retention to address the nursing shortage. There are three major priority areas (Education, Practice and Retention) and nine purposes associated with the three priority areas. Applicants must select and focus on one of these nine purposes in the grant application.
The education priority areas are: Purpose E1) expanding enrollment in baccalaureate nursing programs; Purpose E2) developing and implementing internship and residency programs to encourage mentoring and the development of specialties; Purpose E3) providing education in new technologies, including distance learning methodologies.
The practice priority areas are: Purpose P1) establishing or expanding nursing practice arrangements in non-institutional settings to demonstrate methods to improve access to primary health care in medically underserved communities; Purpose P2) providing care for underserved populations and other high-risk groups such as the elderly, individuals with HIV/AIDS, substance abusers, the homeless, and victims of domestic violence; Purpose P3) providing managed care, quality improvement, and other skills needed to practice in existing and emerging organized health care systems; Purpose P4) developing cultural competencies among nurses.
The retention priority areas are: Purpose R1) career ladder bridge programs which promote career advancement for nursing personnel and registered nurses and; Purpose R2) enhancing patient care delivery systems through improving the retention of nurses and enhancing patient care.

Faculty Development: Integrated Technology into Nursing Education and Practice Initiative (Faculty Development: ITNEP).
The purpose of this initiative is to provide support to nursing collaboratives for faculty development in the use of information and other technologies in order to expand the capacity of collegiate schools of nursing to educate students for 21st century health care practice. Nursing collaboratives will use healthcare information systems to enhance nursing education and practice, optimize patient safety, and drive improvements in health care quality.

For this initiative, use of information and other technologies in nursing education and practice, includes, but is not limited to, informatics, telehealth, mannequin-based and patient simulators, computer-based instructions, virtual simulation, interactive simulated case studies, advanced 3D graphics, e-Learning technology, and other simulated or virtual methods to enhance nursing education and practice. Since no institution or organization currently offers the full spectrum of information and other technologies necessary to carry out this initiative, the nursing collaboratives must develop linkages and partnerships to undertake this initiative.

Types of Assistance

Cooperative Agreements; Project Grants

Uses and Use Restrictions

Funds may be used for salaries of personnel specifically employed for the project; consultant fees; supplies and equipment necessary to conduct the project; essential travel expenses and student stipends or scholarships; and other expenses related to the project. Restricted Uses: Indirect costs are allowed for administrative costs incurred as a result of the project, limited to 8 percent of direct costs exclusive of equipment and tuition and fees.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Eligible applicants are: accredited schools of nursing, health care facilities, or a partnership of such a school and a health care facility, nursing centers, academic health centers, State or local governments, an Indian Tribe or Tribal organization, other public or private non-profit entities including faith-based and community organizations, and for-profit entities capable of carrying out the legislative purpose. For the E1 purpose that focuses on expanding enrollment in baccalaureate nursing programs, the only eligible applicant organizations are collegiate accredited school of nursing. Schools of nursing must be accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Inc. (NLNAC), Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), and Department of Education deemed State Agencies to be considered eligible applicants. ITNEP: Eligible applicants are collegiate schools of nursing capable of carrying out the initiative's purposes. Eligible applicants must provide evidence that they have the capacity and infrastructure in place to carry out the program goals and objectives. Eligible applicants must provide a formal written agreement (See Program Definitions) demonstrating a collaboration with one or more academic health centers, schools of nursing, accredited public or private institutions of higher learning, or other public or private entities capable of carrying out the program goals and objectives. The roles and responsibilities of the collective partnership and of each partner must be clearly delineated.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Accredited public and nonprofit private schools of nursing and other public or nonprofit private entities.

Credentials/Documentation

Applicants should review the individual HRSA Guidance documents issued under this CFDA program for any required proof or certifications which must be submitted prior to or simultaneous with submission of an application package. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is required. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program. HRSA requires all applicants to apply electronically through Grants.gov.

All qualified applications will be forwarded to an objective review committee. Based on the advice of the objective review committee, the HRSA program official with delegated authority is responsible for final selection and funding decisions.

Award Procedure

Notification is made in writing by a Notice of Grant Award.

Deadlines

Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Approximately 6 months after receipt of applications.

Appeals

Not Applicable.

Renewals

NEPR
Competing continuation applications may be submitted for continuance of a grant beyond the initial project period. A competing continuation application shall be submitted during the beginning of the last year of the initial project period. The submission date is the same for new applications and competing continuation applications. These applications are reviewed in the same manner and at the same time as new competing applications.

Faculty Development: ITNEPApplications for the ITNEP program may only be submitted for new grant awards. This program does not accept competing applications beyond the initial five year project period.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

This program has no statutory formula.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this program.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

NEPR
Competing and competing continuation grant applications are submitted for three (3) years of support, except for the following two legislative purposes: (1) establishing or expanding nurse practice arrangements and (2) enhancing patient care delivery systems which are for five years of support.

Faculty Development: ITNEP.
Cooperative agreements are submitted for five years of support. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Grantees drawdown funds, as necessary, from the Payment Management System (PMS). PMS is the centralized web based payment system for HHS awards.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

No program reports are required. No cash reports are required. A Financial Status Report (FSR) must be submitted within 90 days after the end of each budget period. Final progress and financial reports must be submitted within 90 days after the end of the project period. No expenditure reports are required. A Uniform Progress Report (UPR) and Comprehensive Performance Management System (CPMS) Report must be submitted annually.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.

Records

Grantees are required to maintain grant accounting records for 3 years after the date they submit the FSR. If any litigation, claim, negotiation, audit, or other action involving the award has been started before the expiration of the 3-year period, the records shall be retained until completion of the action and resolution of all issues which arise from it, or until the end of the regular 3-year period, whichever is later.

Program Accomplishments

Fiscal Year 2008: NEPR:
Program provides support to strengthen capacity for nurse education and practice under three priority areas: Education, Practice and Retention. Program supports academic, service and continuing education projects to strengthen the nursing workforce and improve nurse retention and quality of patient care.
In FY 08, the NEPR program supported an addition 1,702 new nurses into the workforce. Approximately 21,145 nursing students and registered nurse participants received academic, continuing education or clinical training in 121 nursing grant projects.
In FY 08, the program made 30 new competing and 91 non-competing awards
In FY 09, the program made 41new competing and 85 non-competing awards
In FY 10, it is estimated that 21 new competing and 120 non-competing awards will be made.

ITNEP:
In FY 08, the ITNEP program supported 6 cooperative agreements and has provided enhanced instruction in the areas of nursing informatics, simulation and telehealth to approximately 200 nurse educators.
In FY 08, the program made 2 competing and 4 non-competing awards
In FY 09, the program made 1 new competing and 6 non-competing awards
In FY 10, it is estimated that 2 competing and 7 non-competing awards will be made. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Financial Information

Account Identification

75-0350-0-1-550.

Obligations

(Cooperative Agreements) FY 08 $1,746,357; FY 09 est $1,972,000; FY 10 est $2,562,807. (Project Grants) FY 08 $32,915,826; FY 09 est $33,056,227; FY 10 est $34,259,048

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

NEPR$$65,477 - $584,837;$250,000.
ITNEP: $$238,142 $300,000; $269,071.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

This program is subject to the provisions of 45 CFR Part 92 for State, local and tribal governments and 45 CFR Part 74 for institutions of higher education, hospitals, other nonprofit organizations and commercial organizations, as applicable.

Related Programs

Not Applicable.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

See Regional Agency Offices. NEPR
Dr. Janice Young, and CDR Daniel Reed, Division of Nursing, Bureau of Health Professions, Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 9-36, Rockville, MD 20857. Telephone: (301) 443-6193.

ITNEP: Nancy Douglas-Kersellius, Nurse Consultant, Division of Nursing, Bureau of Health Professions, Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, 5600 Fishers Lane Room 8C-26, Rockville, MD 20857, 301-443-6333, Fax: 301-443-0791.

Headquarters Office

Division of Nursing 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 9-36, Rockville, Maryland 20857 Phone: (301) 443-6193

Web Site Address

www.hrsa.gov.

Examples of Funded Projects

Fiscal Year 2008: NEPR:
The focus of the funded projects is to strengthen and enhance the capacity for nurse education, practice and retention to address the nursing shortage by: expanding enrollment in baccalaureate nursing programs; developing and implementing internship and residency programs; providing education in new technologies, including distance learning methodologies; establishing or expanding nursing practice arrangements; providing care for underserved populations and other high-risk groups; providing managed care, quality improvement, and other skills needed to practice in existing and emerging organized health care systems; developing cultural competencies among nurses; creating career ladder bridge programs which promote career advancement for registered nurses and nursing personnel; and enhancing patient care delivery systems through improving the retention of nurses and enhancing patient care.

ITNEP:
The ITNEP program was implemented in 2006 as the growing need for faculty development in the area of technology increased in schools of nursing across the Nation. Each ITNEP Project is implemented through multiple partnerships between schools of nursing, professional organizations and other entities. Nursing collaboratives use healthcare information systems to enhance nursing education and practice, optimize patient safety, and drive improvements in health care quality. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

The purpose of the project must be consistent with and promote the activities identified in the law. Need must be documented, and the capability for achieving project goals must be described. In making awards of grants under this section, preference will be given to any qualified applicant with a project that will substantially benefit rural or underserved populations, or help meet public health nursing needs in State in local health departments. This preference will only be applied to applications that rank above the 20th percentile of applications recommended for approval.