Governor Doug Ducey is investing $6.5 million to train 1,500 nursing professionals and caregivers who work in long-term care facilities, a major step in improving care for vulnerable Arizonans.
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“As we recognize our invaluable nurses, I’m pleased to help Arizona’s dedicated health care professionals have the resources they need to provide quality care,†said Governor Ducey. “Caregivers and nursing professionals work to provide the best care possible to our elderly and disabled citizens. We need more of them and I’m confident this funding will continue to ensure Arizona is the best place for nurses.â€
The Arizona Health Care Association will use the funds to recruit, train and place certified nursing assistants (CNA) and caregivers within skilled nursing facilities and assisted living centers throughout the state.
The training efforts by the AHCA will help to address the health care industry’s need for frontline workers. The AHCA will work with skilled nursing facilities and assisted living centers to establish onsite CNA and caregiver training. All training programs will align with the Arizona State Board of Nursing and the Nursing Care Institution Administrator Board.
The funds are allocated from the American Rescue Plan Act.
Arizona was recently ranked as one of the top states for nurses, noted for its bountiful job opportunities.
Governor Ducey signed legislation on March 25 extending until January 1, 2023 the temporary professional licenses of more than 2,000 critical health care workers.
Governor Ducey’s fiscal year 2023 budget plans to invest $25.7 million in a public-private partnership with Creighton University to expand the Accelerated Nursing Academy and train 300 new nurses by 2030.
In 2020, the Governor announced an investment of $25 million to bolster hospital staffing and reward frontline medical workers for their dedication to protecting fellow Arizonans.
The funding was used to pay for higher staff costs due to current demand and allow hospitals to reward their existing direct care employees with bonuses. The Governor also directed an additional $60 million to provide more staffing at Arizona hospitals. ■