The Advanced Nursing Education Workforce (ANEW) Program funding was renewed for $644,967. This federally funded initiative is aimed at increasing the number of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) prepared to deliver high-quality primary care, behavioral health and maternal health services in rural and underserved communities.

In the first two years, the four-year grant program awarded traineeships to 61 students and contracted with five new rural clinical partner sites, bringing the program ahead of schedule to surpass its original goals of 91 trainees and six clinical site partnerships.

“We’re thrilled with the momentum of the ANEW program,” said Colleen Paramesh, DNP, APRN, NP-C, ANEW project director. “This isn’t just about numbers — it’s about impact. Each student placed in these rural and underserved sites is helping expand access to critical health services where they’re needed most.”

Beyond clinical placements, the ANEW program has delivered a wide array of high-impact simulation and site-based trainings tailored to partner needs. These include Rural Trauma Team Development Training, de-escalation techniques, resuscitation simulations and a variety of virtual continuing education sessions developed in collaboration with partner sites.

ANEW has also collaborated with other HRSA-funded programs, notably co-sponsoring an ECHO Series to deliver a greater volume and breadth of expert-led virtual training with shared resources.

"With its strong network of academic-practice partnerships, commitment to innovation in nurse training and focus on addressing the health needs of rural and underserved populations, the ANEW program is paving the way for a more resilient, well-prepared primary care nursing workforce in Kansas and beyond," said Paramesh.

This ANEW: Grow and Stay project 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 $2.58 million with 0 percentage financed with non-governmental sources. The ANEW: Grow and Stay project period runs from 07/01/2023 to 06/30/2027. The contents are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information visit HRSA.gov.