NH Delegation Secures More Than $1 Million for Nashua’s Rivier University Nursing Programs

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, and Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced with U.S. Representatives Annie Kuster and Chris Pappas that Rivier University in Nashua will receive more than $1 million to support nursing programs in the state. The funding will support a pathway from academic training to clinical practice for nurses, as well as increase the number of qualified nursing faculty.

“Nurses are the backbone of our health care system, and it’s critical that we address New Hampshire’s nursing workforce shortage,” said Senator Hassan. “This important funding will help build the pipeline of nursing students in New Hampshire, and ultimately help more Granite Staters get the care they need.”

“I’m thrilled to see over $1 million in federal funding heading to New Hampshire to invest in Nurse Faculty Loan and Nurse Education, Practice, Quality and Retention (NEPQR)-Pathway Programs at Rivier University,” said Senator Shaheen. “As ongoing nursing and health care workforce shortages continue to impact communities across New Hampshire, investing in our nursing workforce is crucial to ensuring Granite Staters have access to the health care they need. I look forward to seeing the impact of these funds in strengthening our state’s health care system.”

“Nurses play a critical role in our state’s health care system and patients’ treatment – it is essential that we support their education and training and invest in the next generation of qualified nurses here in New Hampshire,” said Congresswoman Kuster. “I’m thrilled to see these resources heading to Rivier University in Nashua to create new pathways for students to get their nursing degrees and expand the teaching faculty.”

“Investments in our health care workforce help address staff shortages and ensure that Granite Staters can get the care they need,” said Congressman Pappas. “I’m pleased to see this funding delivered to nursing programs in New Hampshire to support our nurses and ensure our health care workforce can meet the needs of our communities. I’ll keep working to secure resources that address these shortages and support the health care workforce.”

Senator Hassan has worked across the aisle to help bolster New Hampshire’s health care workforce. Last month, Senator Hassan and the New Hampshire delegation announced a $650,000 grant for the University of New Hampshire to support nursing students who commit to working in rural or underserved communities. Earlier this year, she reintroduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen the mental health workforce in the face of shortages. In May, Senator Hassan joined colleagues to introduce legislation to create a national graduate nursing education program to help increase the number of advanced practice registered nurses. Additionally, provisions from Senator Hassan’s bipartisan bill to help address the severe shortage of doctors trained in addiction medicine became law in 2022, creating 200 new medical residency positions, including for addiction medicine, at teaching hospitals in New Hampshire and across the country.

Senator Shaheen has spearheaded numerous efforts in the Senate in support of New Hampshire’s health care workforce. During negotiations surrounding the American Rescue Plan Act, Shaheen helped steer efforts to increase funding for the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) to ensure hospitals, nursing homes and other health care providers on the frontlines had the support they need to keep their doors open and continue to care for patients. Earlier this year, Shaheen and Congresswoman Kuster welcomed a $2,000,000 grant to New England College to help increase its capacity to educate and prepare highly trained nursing professionals. In March, Shaheen helped introduce bipartisan legislation that would help build a health care workforce in rural and medically underserved areas by allowing international doctors to stay and practice in the United States following the completion of their residency.

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