New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu said he would request a $24 million capital investment into the state's nursing education programs if re-elected, calling it "the most robust investment ever" in alleviating a nursing shortage, according to the Concord Monitor.
Mr. Sununu plans to boost training for intermediate and advanced nursing certifications through New Hampshire's community college and university systems.
The proposal, which would be in Mr. Sununu's budget request if he's re-elected, would use one-time expenditures to revive programs that recently were dropped. The plan aims to kickstart licensed practical nurse programs in the community college system, create a nurse practitioner program at the University of New Hampshire in Durham and increase class sizes and graduation rates for registered nurse programs.
Under the proposal, schools would get one-time funds to develop the training programs, and tuition would sustain them in later years.
"We're focusing on our nurses … exactly what our needs are," Mr. Sununu said. "Will we see the results tomorrow? No, we won't. But two, three, five, 10 years down the road — this is what you have to plan for."