Training Grants have beneficial impacts on current nursing students and the nursing workforce.  MRJCON's training grants help improve health outcomes and quality of care by graduating highly skilled new nurses or by providing contining support for established nurses.

Advanced Nursing Education Workforce 

The goal of this training program is to increase the number of primary care family nurse practitioners and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners who are academically and clinically prepared for the unique challenges of practice in rural and underserved communities, thus increasing access to primary care in Montana’s rural and underserved communities. 

 

Project Director, Dr.  Stacy Stellflug in close partnership with Montana Area Health Education Center

This program is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $5,396,486 with 0% financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.

American Indians Into Nursing 

The purpose of the Caring for Our Own Program is to increase the number and quality of American Indian and Alaska Native nurses prepared to deliver culturally sensitive healthcare services to the Indigenous populations.  The American Indians into Nursing scholarship is a competitive scholarship program to provide academic support and financial assistance to Indigenous students seeking degrees in nursing.

Project Director, Dr. Laura Larsson, Caring for Our Own Program

This program is supported by the Indian Health Services (IHS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $1,685,705 with 0% financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.

Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program 

Montana Behavioral Health Education and Training – Eastern, North-Central (BHWET-ENC) is a partnership between Montana State University (MSU) College of Nursing Doctor of Nursing Practice – Psych/Mental Health, MSU Billings College of Health Professions and Science, and Montana Track at Billings Clinic, a regional track of the University Washington Psychiatry Residency Training Program. The partnership’s goal is to increase access to quality and culturally appropriate behavioral health services in 38 of Montana’s counties in eastern and north central Montana.

Project Director, Dr. Stacy Stellflug in close partnership with Montana Area Health Education Center

This program is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $1,804,335 with 0% financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.

Nurse Education, Practice, Quality and Retention

The Mobile Health Training Program will focus on using a statewide team of faculty and program staff to employ academic, peer, social, and financial support activities, to grow a diverse nursing faculty.  In addition, the program will also pair classroom and clinical experiences to ideally prepare students for a role in primary care after graduation and upon entering the nursing workforce.    

Project Director, Dr. Laura Larsson in close partnership with Montana Area Health Education Center

This program is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $3,883,102 with 0% financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.

Nurse Education, Practice, Quality and Retention - Clinical Faculty and Preceptor Academy

Montana Office of Rural Health/AHEC, the Colorado Center for Nursing Excellence (CNE), and Schools of Nursing at the University of Colorado, Montana State University, North Dakota State University, South Dakota State University, Southern Utah University, and the Wyoming Center for Nursing have partnered to create a clinical nursing faculty & preceptor academy (CFPA) for the Rocky Mountain region. This program provides training and tools to strengthen and support our clinical nursing faculty and preceptors working in rural and frontier parts of the mountain west.

Project Director, Dr. Molly Secor, Leading the program is the Montana Area Health Education Center

This program is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $3,969,155 with 0% financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.

Nurse Education, Practice, Quality and Retention - Simulation Education Training Program

The goal of this project is to Increase the number of nurses in Montana with the capacity to effectively serve the state’s rural and medically underserved populations. MRJCON will enhance its current slate of simulated clinical education experiences to better serve patients in Montana's rural, frontier, and Tibal communities. 

Project Director, Dr. Carrie Miller in close partnership with Montana Area Health Education Center

This program is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $1,499,432 with 0% financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.

Nurse Faculty Loan Program

The Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing is offering limited educational loans through the HRSA Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP).  These loan are for students who are enrolled in advanced education nursing degree programs and are committed to become nurse faculty.  In exchange for full-time post-graduation employment as nurse faculty, the program authorizes cancelation of up to 85% of any such loan (plus interest thereon).  The full 85% loan cancellation is given to those who serve for 4 years as a nurse faculty.

Project Director, Dr. Molly Secor; Nurse Faculty Loan Program - Sponsored by HRSA

This program is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).  This award is part of a loan program for nursing student committed to become nurse faculty . The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.

Nursing Workforce Diversity

The purpose of the Caring for Our Own Program is to increase the number and quality of American Indian and Alaska Native nurses prepared to deliver culturally sensitive healthcare services to the Indigenous populations. The objectives will be accomplished by a statewide team of faculty and program staff to employ academic, peer, social, and financial support activities, grow a diverse nursing faculty, implement and strengthen holistic review processes, implement diversity and inclusion training opportunities, and build new and enhance existing partnerships with Tribal communities and health care organizations throughout the state. Strategies will focus on social, physical, economic, and educational factors that affect the academic success of Montana’s AI/AN students. 

Project Director, Dr. Laura Larsson, Caring for Our Own Program

This program is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $2,219,876 with 0% financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.

Scholarships for Health Professions Students from Disavantaged Backgrounds

The purpose of the Caring for Our Own Program is to increase the number and quality of American Indian and Alaska Native nurses prepared to deliver culturally sensitive healthcare services to the Indigenous populations.  This is a scholarship program to provide academic support and financial assistance to Indigenous students seeking degrees in nursing.

Project Director, Dr. Laura Larsson, Caring for Our Own Program

This program is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $2,555,186 with 0% financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.