1. Were nursing or nursing faculty salaries increased through this grant funding?
No, the grant did not increase salaries for nurses or nursing faculty. However, the North Carolina Legislature has since raised nursing faculty salaries statewide using separate funding sources.
2. Does this project involve working directly with or directly benefit Novant Health?
This project is a collaborative effort involving a network of more than 20 healthcare employers across the region, including Novant Health – New Hanover Regional Medical Center. While Novant Health is a key partner, it is one of many organizations contributing to and benefiting from the initiative. The focus is on identifying shared workforce challenges and developing regional solutions through collective action.
Participating employers include Avance Care, Berth Behavior Consultation, Coastal Horizons, Columbus Regional Healthcare System, Dawson Med, Dosher Memorial Hospital, Duplin ECU Health, EmergeOrtho, Liberty Healthcare, Lower Cape Fear LifeCare, MedNorth, New Hanover Health and Human Services, Novant Health, Pender Health and Human Services, Odibo Medical Group, the Charles Lea Center, The Davis Community, Trillium, Trinity Grove, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Well Care Health, and Wilmington Health.
3. What organizations make up the group receiving this grant?
The grant supports a collaborative effort among the University of North Carolina Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College, New Hanover County Schools and the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce. These partners have a long history of working together to address the regional nursing shortage and are united in this initiative, which is generously funded by the New Hanover Community Endowment.
4. When did this group start working to develop this plan?
While each of the four partner organizations had been addressing aspects of the nursing shortage independently, formal collaboration began in spring 2022. That joint effort led to the submission of a grant proposal in fall 2023.
5. What is the primary purpose of this grant?
The primary purpose of the grant is to launch a range of initiatives across and between the four partner organizations to address the systemic challenges of attracting, developing and retaining a healthcare workforce.
6. What are the primary achievements of this grant?
This grant has laid the foundation for long-term solutions to the national healthcare workforce shortage by:
- Establishing a pipeline to recruit highly qualified students, particularly those who reflect the diversity of our community, into healthcare careers;
- Expanding local training capacity to ensure students are well-prepared to enter the field; and
- Strengthening retention efforts so healthcare professionals live and work in New Hanover County after graduation.
Together, these efforts enhance access to care and build a more resilient healthcare system for our region.gion.
7. Will additional nursing students graduate from these programs?
Yes. This grant expands the capacity of local nursing programs, allowing more students to be admitted and supported through graduation. It also includes strategies to retain these graduates in the local workforce, helping to strengthen the healthcare system in our community over the long term.
8. Shouldn’t funding for projects like this come from the state?
While the state provides funding for traditional student education, it typically does not support the development of innovative, community-based solutions. This grant fills that gap by investing in new pathways, pipelines, programs and support services aimed at addressing the root causes of the nursing workforce shortage and driving long-term, systemic change.
9. You are large institutions, which makes it easier for you to obtain this level of funding. Why should you receive this funding?
Addressing a challenge as complex and widespread as the nursing workforce shortage requires large-scale, systemic change, something our institutions are uniquely positioned to lead. This funding supports the development of pathways, pipelines and programs that benefit the entire community and are designed to be scalable and sustainable. Importantly, the investment is also being used to attract additional public and private funding, multiplying its impact and creating opportunities for broader collaboration across organizations of all sizes.
10. Why was this grant for such a large amount of money?
The scale of the nursing workforce shortage demands bold, systemic solutions. This grant supports transformational change across education, healthcare and workforce systems to build sustainable, community-based pathways into nursing careers. The investment reflects both the scope of the challenge and the need for long-term, collaborative solutions tailored to our region. These are solutions that can serve as a model for other communities facing the same national issue.
11. How will the rest of the community be enhanced as a result of this grant?
This grant strengthens the entire community by expanding access to high-quality, culturally competent healthcare delivered by professionals who are trained locally and understand the unique needs of the region. As a result, patients receive more compassionate care, and the local healthcare system becomes more resilient, responsive and reflective of the community it serves.
12. As large institutions, you have more people to do this work and don’t need additional money or support to get projects like this done.
While our institutions may appear well-resourced, the reality is that prior to this grant, no dedicated staff were in place to design and implement a project of this scale. Much of the work has been carried out by committed individuals who have taken on these responsibilities in addition to their regular duties, without additional compensation. This grant provides critical support to ensure the initiative is both sustainable and impactful, without diverting resources from existing programs.
13. How does this grant benefit me?
Whether you live, work or receive care in New Hanover County, this grant benefits you by strengthening the local healthcare workforce. It helps ensure access to more qualified, compassionate healthcare professionals who are trained to meet the unique needs of our community — leading to better care for everyone.
14. As a student, how do I access/apply for programs within this grant?
If you’re a K–12 or college student interested in a healthcare career, this grant expands access to a variety of programs, including career exploration, mentoring, training opportunities and support services. These resources are being developed and enhanced through funding from the New Hanover Community Endowment. More information on how to get involved will be shared through your school or college as programs are launched.
15. My 10-year-old child wants to be a nurse. Will these scholarships be available when they graduate?
We’re excited to hear your child is already thinking about a career in nursing. This grant serves as a starting point for long-term, systemic change to address the region’s nursing shortage. While the current funding has a defined timeline, the goal is to build sustainable programs and partnerships — including scholarships — that will continue to grow and evolve with community support, ensuring future students like your child have every opportunity to pursue their dreams.
16. As a non-profit, can I access/apply for funding or program assistance within this grant?
While this grant does not allow for subgrants to outside organizations, it does encourage meaningful partnerships. Nonprofits are welcome to collaborate with the core partners on aligned efforts that support the initiative’s goals. We believe lasting impact comes from working together, and we’re open to exploring how community organizations can contribute.