(SWEETWATER, Texas) – The allied health industry is one of the most in-demand fields in today’s Texas workforce.
One area that has a bright outlook, according to onetonline.org, is registered nursing. According to the website, Texas employs nearly 221,000 registered nurses but will need nearly 259,000 by 2030.
To help fill that employment gap, Texas State Technical College is offering scholarships for the LVN to RN Transition Nursing Program in Sweetwater, according to Layla Bohall, the program’s team lead there.
TSTC is offering the scholarships through the Nursing Shortage Reduction Program (NSRP), which is administered by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
The primary purpose of the NSRP is to enhance the capacity of nursing education programs in Texas to enroll, retain and graduate more nursing students, according to the coordinating board’s website.
Bohall said TSTC will offer scholarship funds for students who plan to enroll in the summer session. The application deadline for the summer session is March 28.
“We are wanting to make sure hospitals and other allied health facilities have the best-trained nurses,” Bohall said. “By providing scholarship funds, this will help those thinking about advancing from a vocational nurse to registered nurse financially easier.”
TSTC will provide $500 for every student accepted into the program and an additional $500 for students who reside within 80 miles of Sweetwater.
“We know there are a lot of communities close to Sweetwater that have nurses looking to advance their careers,” Bohall said.
Graduates of TSTC’s Vocational Nursing program over the past 10 years are also eligible for an additional $500.
“With $1,500 in scholarship funds available, it is a good start to earning the degree,” Bohall said.
TSTC will host virtual information sessions about the program requirements and application process at 10 a.m. each Wednesday through March 19. A session will also be held on March 18.
For more information about the information sessions, and application information, visit https://www.tstc.edu/programs/nursing.
To learn more about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.
