Louisiana Increasing Louisiana’s Nursing Workforce Diversity and Leadership Project Plans: State Implementation Program Phases 1 and 3 Areas of Focus: • Leadership • Diversity • Infrastructure Contact: Barbara Morvant, Project Director [email protected] The project proposes a new content area for a previous SIP 1 grantee, with focus shifting to leadership. Leadership training will be provided in a two-tier fashion. Initially leadership training seminars will be held with up to 160 participants over 24 months. Participants will complete a development plan and will be tracked after program conclusion. Defined goal is at least 10% of participants having demonstrated leadership advancement according to defined criteria (including board service). Phase two of leadership training will be a fellowship offered to 10-20 more advanced nurse leaders. They will follow a mentored experience linking them to non-profit health organizations. They will complete community based projects designed to have an immediate impact on health of the community. Diversity goals will be supported through convening a Diversity Think Tank (75 - 100 participants) and creation of a diversity action plan. Baseline data will identify demographics of the nursing population, students, and APRNs to allow evaluation of diversity gaps. Strategies to address diversity gaps will be identified. Matching funds provided by other sources will support tuition reimbursement for up to three nurses pursuing graduate degrees as primary care nurse practitioners. Program enrollees will have indicated intent to serve in designated Health Professional Shortage Areas.