Nixon Launches Program to Boost Health Care Graduates

Governor Jay Nixon visited Springfield Thursday to explain the inner workings of a new program designed to make the link between education and placing Missouri graduates in health care jobs. KSMU’s Jennifer Moore reports.

The name of the new program is “Caring For Missourians,” and its goal is to prepare 900 extra Missouri students to enter high-demand jobs in the field of health care.

Under the program, the state will pay 40 million dollars next year to help Missouri’s two- and four-year public schools grow their health care training programs.

Nixon toured the School of Nursing at Missouri State University, where he explained why the new initiative will result in more jobs and, ultimately, a stronger economy.

“This is a true intersection, clear intersection, between higher education and the economic challenges we face. Literally, these jobs exist. If we can up our training, and this gives us the opportunity to do that—expand that training—these are jobs in Missouri that people can fill right now,” Nixon said.

Currently, 79 counties in Missouri are facing a shortage of health care workers, including registered nurses, physicians and dental hygienists.

Missouri State University will receive about $2.2 million through the new program. It says it will use the money to upgrade its classrooms, equipment and facilities in the health sciences departments.

For KSMU News, I'm Jennifer Moore.