When it became clear that additional federal funds remained available to support Nevada’s healthcare workforce, the University of Nevada, Reno partnered with the Nevada Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) to quickly mobilize a coordinated, campus-wide response to ensure the dollars reached the students and communities they were intended to serve.

Working in close partnership with DCFS, the University awarded $850,000 this semester to 85 nurse practitioner (NP) students, each of whom affirmed a commitment to practice in Nevada for at least three years after graduation. With this latest distribution, a total of 139 Nevada NP students have now been supported under this initiative.

Nurse practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses who provide comprehensive, patient-centered care, including diagnosing conditions, ordering and interpreting tests, managing chronic illnesses and prescribing medications. Across the United States, NPs deliver more than 1 billion healthcare visits each year, playing an essential role in expanding access to timely care. In Nevada, NPs are among the most trusted and preferred healthcare providers for individuals and families across the state – especially in rural and underserved communities.

“These funds were designed to expand access to healthcare and strengthen the state’s provider workforce,” Dr. Stephanie DeBoor, senior associate dean at the Orvis School of Nursing, said. “By directing this support to NP students who are preparing to serve Nevada communities, we’re fulfilling the original intent of the federal funding investment and helping our state meet a critical need.”

The effort required a rapid and highly coordinated response from teams across the University, including the Orvis School of Nursing, Sponsored Projects, Enrollment Services, the Cashier’s Office and Government and Community Relations. Together, these units identified eligible Nevada residents enrolled in the University’s nurse practitioner programs, verified requirements and ensured timely distribution of funds.

For students, the impact was immediate.

“There are no words that describe how grateful I am for this opportunity and this scholarship,” Marlyn Arce-Gomez, nurse practitioner student and award recipient, said. “I am committed to honoring this trust and hope to make a positive impact in my community as an NP.”

Nevada continues to face a significant shortage of primary care providers, including nurse practitioners – particularly in rural and frontier counties. By easing the financial burden of advanced practice education and encouraging graduates to remain in the state, the funding initiative directly contributes to expanding access to care for Nevada’s residents.

Each student award comes with a three-year post-graduation service commitment, a requirement that aligns the funding with the broader goal of strengthening Nevada’s long-term healthcare capacity.

The partnership reflects a shared commitment between UNR and DCFS to strengthen Nevada’s healthcare workforce and expand access to care. “We are grateful to our partners at DCFS for their collaboration and support,” DeBoor said. “Their commitment to extending the timeline for this initiative ensures these federal dollars stay here in Nevada – supporting Nevada students for the benefit of Nevada communities. When we lift a student, we lift a community.”