City College’s department of nursing, partnering with Tulane University Hospital and Clinic, was awarded a $2.4 million grant from the Louisiana Department of Labor Incumbent Worker Training Program. The grant will provide tuition to more than 100 Tulane registered nurses for both Loyola’s undergraduate and masters nursing programs, depending on the students’ incoming education levels. Loyola was contacted by Tulane when the university expressed a need to further educate its employees in the medical health field.

The LIWTP is designed to benefit businesses and industry by assisting in the education of current employees, and the state will ultimately be helping to increase employee productivity and growth of local companies. The grant, part of a $50 million statewide fund dedicated solely to customized training of employees, is eligible to Loyola registered nurses who are currently enrolled in the nursing program – provided that 75 percent of the classes fulfill nursing requirements. Dr. Billie Wilson, chairperson of the department of nursing said, “The state was anxious to support the partnership because it has a great interest in the health care industry, which is a major economic engine for the state.” – Jenna Harris