The Virginia Nursing Workforce Center has awarded nearly $1.3 million in scholarships and incentives to nearly 350 nursing students across the state, according to the center's announcement.
The funding supports students at different career stages, from those completing their education to experienced clinicians who train the next generation of nurses. The center was created through bipartisan legislation that Governor Abigail Spanberger signed earlier this year, which streamlined grant funding that had not been fully reaching prospective students under prior administration.
Virginia faced a shortage of 17,000 registered nurses in 2025, and the state expects nursing demand to substantially outpace supply over the next decade. The center offers programs including the Nurse Preceptor Incentive Program, which provides financial incentives ranging from $500 to $5,000 per semester to licensed clinicians who serve as preceptors, Long-Term Care Scholarships providing up to $2,000 for students interested in long-term care careers, and loan repayment assistance for eligible nurses and nursing aides.