(Editorial - Graphic Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

One of the reasons for West Virginia’s challenges in ensuring everyone has access to affordable, quality health care has been the shortage in health care workers. Nurses are in incredibly short supply.

But two years ago, the Nursing Workforce Expansion Program was launched. Now, officials are celebrating its early successes.

Between 2022 and 2023 there was a nearly 15% increase in the number of registered nurses graduating with associate degrees. The 676 graduates from that year represent a record number of nursing graduates in the Mountain State.

Funded projects for the program are awarded and administered by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and Community and Technical College System.

“Through these thoughtful investments by the governor and legislature, our higher education community is more strongly positioned to shore up West Virginia’s devoted nursing workforce, and we are already seeing the results,” said Dr. Sarah Armstrong Tucker, West Virginia chancellor of higher education.

But in announcing the achievements, the governor’s office noted that IF the program is funded for a third year, there are plans to expand cohorts of nursing students, support scholarships and create additional grant opportunities.

“By investing in our future nurses, we’ve set new records for nursing graduates in West Virginia,” said Gov. Jim Justice. “Nurses are the backbone of our health care system, and this initiative ensures we’re not just filling jobs, but equipping these health care heroes with the best training and support possible. This is a historic step forward for our state, and it’s only the beginning of what we can accomplish to strengthen our health care workforce.”

That kind of momentum must not be slowed by a changing of the guard in Charleston.