Aimed at economically or educationally disadvantaged students, including underrepresented minority students, the new program looks to help prospective nursing students gain acceptance to the college, graduate with a bachelor’s degree and become licensed nurses. Headed by Terry Viau, the associate dean in the College of Nursing, the program will work with high school students, incoming freshmen and students currently enrolled in the nursing program. Viau said she hopes to reach more than 500 students within three years.

“We initially did a pilot study and found that there were some barriers keeping disadvantaged students from applying to the nursing school and being successful in completing the prerequisite course work,” Viau said. “We created this project to respond to those barriers.”

Using a $933,420 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Viau said she expects to work with 30 to 40 students at the university level and about 30 high school students in the Lansing School District per year. The program aims to prepare students for applying to MSU’s program, as well as provide academic support services.

“We’re making that connection to assist students in getting the support they need to be successful and complete their prerequisite courses,” Viau said. “With the high school students, we’re exposing students to the nursing curriculum and profession through a nursing student organization, a tour of a facility or simulation labs on campus.”

With the program, the college can respond to both the nursing shortage and the need for a more diverse work force, Viau said.

Ashley Porter, a recent MSU graduate, is applying to MSU’s accelerated nursing program in December. She said providing academic help to disadvantaged students is a great idea, but she’s not sure if a scholarship would help students who struggle in classes.

“If Michigan needs more help and diversity in the nursing workforce, then having a program that provides students with tutoring can only help,” Porter said. “As for a scholarship, it doesn’t matter how much the student has in financial help if they don’t do well in school.”

As an adviser that will work academically with the participating students, Traylor said the program hits close to home.

“It’s a personal interest as well as a professional goal to support the university in working with disadvantaged students,” Traylor said.

“I went through a similar program while in school and it was a great motivator and certainly a support to me.”