LSU Health New Orleans receives $3 million to improve health equity and care in rural areas.

LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing has been awarded nearly $3 million to improve health equity and care in Region 6 (Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and New Mexico). Ten such awards by the Health Resources and Services Administration of the US Department of Health and Human Services. Under the leadership of Leanne Fowler, DNP, AGACNP-BC, CCRN, CNE, Program Director of Nurse Practitioner Programs, Coordinator of the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Concentration Program and Associate Professor of Clinical Nursing, LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing, Clinical Nurse Educator for Region 6 (CNE ) will build an academy.

Designed to increase the registered nurse (RN) and advanced practice RN (APRN) nursing workforce in medically underserved areas, the project expands and mentors academic-practice partnerships. The CNE Academy focuses on recruiting, educating, and retaining licensed nurses in the region by becoming RN and APRN clinical nurse faculty and preceptors who teach newly hired or licensed nurses in a variety of care settings. Academy faculty complete approximately 40 hours of professional development and collaborate with nursing education professionals to develop the curriculum and earn nurse educator certification.

Aligned with national standards, CNE Academy’s curriculum is designed to be competency-based, developing inclusive teaching and learning strategies, health equity, and resilience. An increase in the number of clinical nurse educators will increase the importance of RNs and APRNs caring for patients in these areas.

Dr. Leanne Fowler, LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing

LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing is ranked #10 School of Nursing and #5 Public School of Nursing in the United States.

“Our School of Nursing is known for educating nurse leaders and demonstrating excellence in nursing education, practice, research and public service,” said Demetrius J. Porche, DNS, PhD, ANEF, FACHE, FAANP, FAAN, professor and dean of the LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing. “Our CNE Academy will help meet two important needs for Region 6 – increasing the number of RNs and advanced practice nurses and improving access to quality care in rural and medically underserved communities.”