March 6, 2007

LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today highlighted a key initiative in her plan to provide Michigan workers with the training they need to succeed in a global economy.  The Michigan Nursing Corps initiative, unveiled in the State of the State address last month, will help alleviate the state's chronic nursing shortage. The governor made her remarks during a rally held on the steps of the State Capitol in Lansing.
 
"Training workers to fill the good-paying jobs available right now in health care facilities across the state is a key component of our plan to revitalize Michigan's economy," Granholm said.  "By expanding our capacity for training nurses and accelerating the training, we are not only placing workers in jobs, we are helping to ensure every Michigan citizen receives world-class health care."
 
The Michigan Nursing Corps initiative will train 500 additional nursing instructors and graduate more than 3,000 additional nurses over the next three years.  Current estimates show Michigan on track to have a nursing shortage of 18,000 by 2015.  Granholm's nursing corps initiative will address this shortage by expanding the number of faculty in the state's nursing program, increasing clinical placement opportunities, and providing accelerated degree programs for workers choosing nursing as a second career. 
 
In addition, the Granholm administration has invested $30 million through the MI Opportunity Partnership in Michigan universities and community colleges for programs to produce additional nursing graduates.  Also, twelve of Michigan's Regional Skills Alliances are focused on recruitment, employee development, retention, and collaboration in health care professions, including nursing.
 
The Michigan Nursing Corps is part of the governor's economic plan designed to diversify the economy, expand affordable college education and training to every student, put thousands of people to work improving Michigan's infrastructure, hold schools to higher standards, extend access to health care to every family, and grow our cities.