Apply for the Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program Here!
What is the Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program Scholarship?
River Valley Community College (RVCC) and the Dartmouth Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) are collaborating through a grant funded by the Health Resources & Services Administration, Bureau of Health Workforce. Through this partnership, we are pleased to offer stipends to qualified students enrolled in the LNA – Licensed Nursing Assistant Certificate and the Associate in Nursing Degree (RN). These stipends are designed to reduce economic barriers to education while supporting students pursuing careers in geriatric healthcare, ultimately strengthening our healthcare workforce in long-term care settings. Selection and disbursement of stipends are managed by River Valley Community College.
To apply, current students with an Easy Login, use the Current Students link below. Potential students will need to create a new account with a username and password to apply using the Future Students link below.
LNA Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program
Individuals who apply to RVCC’s LNA program, meet Geriatrics LNA Scholars eligibility criteria, and are accepted to the program will:
- Connect and maintain communications with Dartmouth GWEP faculty on an as needed basis.
- Participate in pre and post program interviews as well as periodic surveys administered by an independent evaluation team from the Dartmouth Center for Program Design and Evaluation (CPDE). Geriatrics LNA Scholars provide valuable insights about their experience and perceptions in acquiring the knowledge and skills to support the GWEP’s assessment of the program’s effectiveness, strengths, gaps, and opportunities.
- Complete an enhanced geriatrics learning experience led by DH GWEP faculty (see table 1) in conjunction with standard RVCC LNA program coursework. Students accepted as Geriatrics LNA Nurse Scholars can expect to spend an additional 1-2 hours per week on average on this enhanced learning over their 6-8 week program. This enhanced learning experience includes a multimodal approach that incorporates:
- Onsite coaching at DH Geriatric Center of Excellence with a certified Teepa Snow trainee coach (2 hours)
“Register for the Dementia ECHO webinar series. Participate in at least 2 live ECHOs. ECHOs occur on 3rd Wednesday of the month from 2-3pm. Choose from dates occurring around or during your LNA program.”
Age Friendly Health Systems End of Life module (1.5 hours)
Report your place of employment to the DH GWEP for 1 year following completion of their LNA program.
Registered Nurse (RN) Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program Scholar Program
GWEP RN Scholar Applications are accepted annually for the traditional format Associate Science Nursing (ASN) program:
· Preferred deadline for applications is May 1st.
· Applications continue to be accepted until August 1st.
Eligibility
· Commitment to completing the ASN program in a traditional two-year format (semesters in Fall and Spring both years).
· Intent to work in a long-term care facility upon completion of the ASN program.
Stipend Awards
Stipends are up to $3,195 per award and applied to the student’s account per semester (Fall & Spring) for the 4 semesters required to complete the ASN program. A stipend is considered financial aid and may impact your financial aid award.
Expectations of GWEP RN Scholars
· Maintain satisfactory academic progress in the ASN program.
· Participate in an enhanced geriatrics curriculum each semester (approximately 18 hours per semester) that will include:
1. Completing assigned learning modules, courses, and assignments related to geriatrics and long-term care;
2. Participating in an 8-hours field experience in a long-term care facility;
3. Attending and participating in monthly ECHO webinars on dementia care;
4. Meeting with GWEP faculty as needed during scheduled office hours, virtually or in-person.
· Participate in the GWEP Scholar program evaluation process, which will consist of interviews before and at the conclusion of the program, and surveys for grant reporting purposes.
Disclosure: This program is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number U1QHP53034, Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program, for $1,714,367. This information or content is that of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by, HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.