Nursing Gets $815,000 HRSA Grant for Operation BSN to Educate Veterans

The School of Nursing plans to improve employment opportunities for military veterans and diversify the nursing workforce through its new initiative, Operation BSN: Serving the Nation, Healing the Sick.

Assistant Professor Dr. Mark Crider, chair of undergraduate nursing and project director for Operation BSN, recently received a three-year Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant for $815,043 to fund this important work to assist veterans. The program will provide an innovative curriculum with a focus on veterans’ health and personalized support system for students, customized to the unique needs of veterans and reservists, including academic credit for prior medical training and experience in healthcare.

“Our School of Nursing is ranked No. 3 by U.S. News and World Report for graduate online nursing programs for veterans,” said Nursing Dean Dr. Mary Ellen Glasgow. “We have every confidence that we can support veterans in their journey to become professional nurses as we have a strong track record of serving military veterans’ educational needs and aspirations. Given the growing national demand for Bachelor-of-Science-in-Nursing (BSN) prepared registered nurses, earning a BSN will improve employment opportunities for veterans—especially those from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.”

Through Operation BSN, veterans can choose from several tracks: a BSN accelerated Second Degree curriculum (with 12 and 18 month completion options) and an online RN-BSN option designed especially for veterans who have prior healthcare training or experience, preparing them to deliver culturally and linguistically sensitive care with focus on veterans’ health.

“The BSN program has been modified to focus on veterans’ health issues throughout the curriculum to include topics such as noise and vibration exposure, chemical exposure, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, suicide and homelessness,” explained Crider. “The impact of combat, deployment, physical and psychological injuries on families and communities as well as issues specific to the female veteran will be addressed. Furthermore, nurse veterans will be able to care for other veterans and their families in the future, with a greater understanding of the health needs of this population.”

The nursing school also plans to expand partnerships and develop new clinical connections with veterans hospitals, veterans service organizations and community-based agencies that provide care and services to underserved veterans and their families in Southwestern Pennsylvania.

Duquesne is among just 15 percent of post-secondary educational institutions across the nation to be designated a Military Friendly School. The University, which is a Yellow Ribbon program participant, offers military programs designed for both veterans and active duty personnel seeking career advancement or a career change.