March 4, 2008
By Susan Allen - Times Argus Staff

NORTHFIELD – U.S. Rep. Peter Welch brought news of a $341,000 federal grant for a new nursing lab to Norwich University on Monday before meeting with students at the school to talk about ways to ease the nursing shortage in the state.

"If we don't begin planning now, Vermont will face a critical shortage of nurses in the near future," Welch said. "Particularly in a rural state, Vermonters rely on receiving quality care through well-trained nurses."

The grant money is on top of $1.2 million the school is spending to build a new lab for the nursing program and will be earmarked for the purchase of equipment, said Norwich University President Richard Schneider.

"It's a huge help," Schneider said.

Welch and Schneider met with nursing students and staff for about 30 minutes to talk about the challenges facing those hoping to become nurses – challenges that are adding to the shortage of nurses in Vermont and nationwide.

Michelle Walsh of Montpelier said she not only attends nursing classes at Norwich, but also works and with her husband is raising a child. She said there is not enough financial assistance for Vermont students who will face a heavy debt load when they graduate.

"Sounds like we could use some more money in this area," Welch responded.

Kristina Waters of Woodstock said she is ineligible for specific scholarships that are reserved for graduates who stay in Vermont to work as nurses because she hopes to work at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, just across the White River in New Hampshire, after graduating from Norwich.

Welch said that restrictions should be eased for Dartmouth employees, adding, "Dartmouth is in effect a Vermont institution."

"They just got the river in the wrong place," Schneider added.

Waters said another impediment for nursing students is trying to have credits at various institutions – including the Community College of Vermont and Johnson State College – count toward nursing programs at other schools.

"You've got the right audience here," Welch said, pointing to Schneider.

The Norwich president nodded and quipped, "We'd rather keep the Congress out of that one."

Students expressed a frustration that there are too few nursing classes available, in part because of a shortage of academically credentialed instructors.

Jessica Johnson of Graniteville said she'd be content with instructors who had the professional experience if not the exact academic credentials, particularly now to ease the shortage.

"I see the value of having standards," Johnson said. But, she added, she also sees the value of experience.

Welch agreed, adding, "Not everybody can be a PhD. Most people go into nursing because they want to be at the bedside."

After the meeting, Welch said it was clear that nursing students need more financial assistance to complete their education. He said it's also important that schools hold down the costs of those programs.

Leslie Carpenter of Barre asked Welch what students could do to keep the problem of the nursing shortage in the public eye and pressure on those in a position to help.

"What can students to do get more money into the programs … write letters?" she asked. "How can we get people to notice the shortage?"

The congressman told her to – along with the others in the room – keep telling their personal stories to illustrate the problem for people.

"It's very vivid, very real," he said.