Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Awards University of Houston $750,000 to Strengthen Nursing Education

Grant will expand clinical training, simulation technology and faculty development as Texas faces a projected shortage of more than 57,000 registered nurses by 2032

 

By Satff

 The University of Houston’s Andy & Barbara Gessner College of Nursing has received a $750,000 grant through the Texas Nursing Innovation Grant Program to expand nursing education and help address the state’s growing shortage of registered nurses.

The award is part of more than $5.6 million in grants announced by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to support innovative nursing education programs across the state.

The funding comes as Texas faces an increasing demand for nurses. State data and projections from the Texas Hospital Association indicate the state could face a shortage of more than 57,000 registered nurses by 2032.

University officials said the two-year grant will strengthen clinical learning opportunities, invest in advanced simulation technology and expand faculty expertise to better prepare students for today’s rapidly changing health care environment.

Raji Pillai, assistant professor at the Gessner College of Nursing, said the funding represents an important investment in the future of Texas’ health care workforce.

“The nursing shortage is a critical issue across our state, causing burnout and dissatisfaction among the existing workforce. Receiving this grant from Governor Abbott is a significant investment in both our students and the future of health care in Texas.” Raji Pillai, assistant professor at Gessner College of Nursing: 

Pillai said the college plans to use the funding to expand clinical learning environments, acquire new simulation technology and provide training for both newly hired and current faculty members. “We plan to use these resources to expand our clinical learning environments, acquire new simulation technology, and train both newly hired and existing faculty on the most advanced technologies for clinical practice, ensuring our students enter the workforce practice-ready from day one.”

The Gessner College of Nursing serves students throughout the Houston region, including through instructional sites in Sugar Land and Katy. Students receive advanced training from faculty and gain clinical experience at hospitals and health care facilities across the Houston area.

According to the university, approximately 95% of UH bachelor’s degree nursing students and 100% of master’s degree nursing students from the Class of 2024 secured employment after graduation. The university also reported that 98% of those graduates accepted positions within Texas.

Kathryn Tart, dean of the Gessner College of Nursing, said the grant arrives at a critical time for the state’s health care workforce. “This investment comes at a critical time as Texas works to meet the growing demand for highly skilled nurses. At UH, we are committed to preparing nurses who are ready to step into the workforce and make an immediate difference for patients and communities. This grant will help us expand opportunities for our students while strengthening the nursing pipeline Texas needs for the future.

The grant will support three primary areas: expanding clinical learning environments, investing in advanced simulation technology and strengthening faculty expertise.

New simulation technology will allow nursing students to practice clinical decision-making and patient care in realistic, controlled settings before entering clinical environments. The funding will also support faculty development and help create an interdisciplinary learning environment designed to advance research and translate new discoveries into improved patient outcomes.

The investment also supports UH Health, the University of Houston’s integrated academic health enterprise, which connects education, research, innovation and community impact to address pressing health care challenges.

As hospitals and health systems across Texas continue to face staffing pressures, the University of Houston’s investment in nursing education is aimed at helping produce more practice-ready graduates and strengthening the state’s health care workforce for years to come.