A collaborative effort between the Department of Health and Human Services, the Nebraska Department of Education, and Nebraska Nursing Programs
In July of 2021, the CDC Covid-19 Crisis Response Workforce Cooperative Agreement awarded Nebraska DHHS $12.3 million dollars, $3.6 million of which is allocated to Nebraska School-based Health Program Support. Using work-study opportunities for students in Nebraska state-approved nursing programs, we aim to provide nursing support to any K-12 school expressing need and expand the Nebraska public health workforce.
The goal is to develop a pipeline program to place nursing students and graduate nurses not currently working in school health settings. This supports health and well-being of students and families and provides an opportunity for nursing students to get real-world experience in a school health setting. This also provides student nurses an opportunity to experience a different work setting and potentially lead to a job upon graduation.
Over the course of the past year, three nursing programs have developed curriculum for a school-based health program. The program will begin in January of 2023. Grant funding will be used by the nursing programs to support clinical experiences for nursing students and graduate nurses who are passionate about health of the community and school health.
Nursing students will be placed in K-12 schools across the state of Nebraska. Over the course of one or several semesters, students will be exposed to a broad overview of public health issues at the local level. Nursing students will participate in a comprehensive program including, needs assessments, school testing, health education and adding support to keep the general population safe. In addition, students will be able to attend seminars and trainings offered by NEDHHS during their enrollment (time and project requirements permitting).
Frequently Asked Questions
In Spring 2022, a survey was sent to all superintendents across Nebraska to gauge school need for extra health support. A list was created of the schools expressing greatest need and participating nursing programs will choose which schools they'll be working with in the 2022-23 school year. Three nursing programs volunteered to help DHHS build this program and will be leading the pilot program in the K-12 schools.
Yes, additional K-12 schools will be eligible to join this program in the 2023-24 school year. For the 2022-23 school year, three nursing programs will be participating and going to local schools located in seven different geographical locations across the state. For the 2023-24 school year, the program may have a greater number of nursing programs participating and therefore will be able to make a larger impact in a greater number of schools across the state. This program is in the pilot stage, and it's expected to expand as the semesters pass.
Yes, private, and public K-12 schools are both equally eligible for this program. Priority is given to schools expressing greatest need.
Contact