Nearly $2 million released to help hire more nursing instructors

Gov. David Ige has released $1.75 million for 39 new instructor positions, including three at the University of Hawaii Maui College, to help address the statewide nursing faculty shortage.

The initiative, which Ige included in his budget request that was approved by state lawmakers this session, will help UH graduate more nurses to meet the workforce demands of the state, UH said in a news release Thursday.

“COVID-19 created an opportunity to collaborate with UH President David Lassner and the UH System to ensure our state higher education system is well positioned to help the state respond to this incredible healthcare challenge,” said Ige, who held a news conference Thursday with UH officials. “The $1.75 million I allocated for UH is an investment which will support the stability and future of nursing education in Hawaii.”

Funding and positions will be allocated as follows:

≤ UH-Hilo: $532,150, 12 positions.

≤ Kapiolani Community College: $399,113, nine positions.

≤ UH-Manoa: $354,767, eight positions.

≤ Hawaii Community College: $177,383, four positions.

≤ Kauai Community College: $133,038, three positions. ≤ UH-Maui College: $133,038, three positions.

In order to retain the new nursing instructors, $27,000 will also go toward their professional development to gain new competencies in nursing education.

There are an estimated 1,000 current nurse vacancies in Hawaii, according to the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. State labor data predicts an anticipated increase in 110 nursing positions needed each year through 2030.

The 39 new positions will help with instruction for about 230 nursing students. Currently, there are about 770 nursing students enrolled across the UH System at Maui College, Manoa, Hilo, Kapiolani Community College, Kauai Community College and Hawaii Community College.

UH schools educated and trained 59 percent of the 442 licensed practical nurses and registered nurse students who graduated from schools throughout Hawaii in the last academic year. UH nursing programs also make up six of the eight pre-license nursing education programs in the state that prepare students to be a licensed practical nurse or registered nurse. On Neighbor Islands, UH programs are the only way for students to become nurses in Hawaii, according to UH.