Nearly 350 prospective nursing students and other eligible recipients across Virginia have received approximately $1.3 million in scholarships and incentives intended to strengthen the state’s nursing workforce, Gov. Abigail Spanberger announced last week.
The funding was awarded through the Virginia Nursing Workforce Center, which provides financial assistance to nursing students and supports efforts to recruit, train and retain nurses.
The center was established through bipartisan legislation signed earlier this year. According to the governor’s office, the legislation streamlined funding that had previously been underutilized because of administrative barriers.
Virginia faced a shortage of approximately 17,000 registered nurses in 2025, according to figures cited by the governor’s office. Demand for registered nurses and licensed practical nurses is expected to outpace supply over the next decade.
“Our nurses are the heart of Virginia’s health care system — caring for patients, supporting families, and strengthening communities across our Commonwealth,” Spanberger said.
The Virginia Nursing Workforce Center offers several programs designed to assist students and working health care professionals at different stages of their careers.
Among them are scholarships for students pursuing nursing degrees, including those interested in long-term care, graduate nursing education and school nursing. Long-Term Care Scholarships provide up to $2,000 in financial assistance.
The Nurse Preceptor Incentive Program provides payments ranging from $500 to $5,000 per semester to eligible licensed clinicians who supervise nursing students during clinical training. Awards are based on the number of clinical hours.
Loan repayment assistance also is available for eligible registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and certified nurse aides who commit to working in Virginia.
Another initiative, Earn to Learn, allows nursing students to receive pay while completing required clinical training. The two-year grant program supports partnerships between nursing schools and health care providers, with eligible partnerships able to receive up to $400,000 over two years.
The programs are intended to address financial obstacles that can prevent students from completing nursing education or discourage experienced nurses from remaining in the profession.
“When there are not enough nurses, people feel it,” said Secretary of Health and Human Resources Marvin B. Figueroa. “They wait longer. They travel farther. And the nurses who are already there are asked to carry even more.”
The governor’s office also cited changes to federal student loan programs, including new borrowing limits and the phaseout of Graduate PLUS loans, as additional challenges for students pursuing advanced nursing degrees.
The Virginia Nursing Workforce Center works with nursing schools, health care employers and other partners to expand clinical training and strengthen the state’s nursing workforce.
“The strong response to these programs shows the continued need to invest in Virginia’s nursing workforce,” said Dr. Yvette Dorsey, director of the Virginia Nursing Workforce Center. “We want nurses and nursing students to know that there are opportunities available to support them throughout their careers.”
Applications for nursing incentive programs are currently open through the Virginia Nursing Workforce Center. Nursing students, practicing nurses and eligible health care partners can review program requirements and apply at vanwc.org. For additional information, call 804-592-1724.
