Virginia relaunches $4.8 million nursing workforce program

Virginia has relaunched its Earn to Learn program, allocating $4.8 million to support the state’s nursing workforce. The initiative provides financial assistance to educational institutions offering state-approved pre-licensure programs for registered nurses and licensed practical nurses.

The program is now managed by the newly established Virginia Nursing Workforce Center. This transition follows a state study revealing that approximately $10.6 million in previous nursing scholarship funds remained unused due to management capacity issues within the state Health Department.

Under the program, nursing students can earn income comparable to their training level while completing required clinical experience. This structure allows participating healthcare providers to work directly with students, facilitating a smoother transition from clinical training to full-time employment.