The UW School of Medicine and Public Health program announced earlier this week that it is providing $500,000 for the effort, doubling the total funding for the incentive program that was announced in December 2021. The state Department of Health Services provided the initial funds.

The UW System said it will now be providing a $500 tuition credit during the spring semester to up to 2,000 nursing students that work at least 50 hours in various health care settings.

“Through this collaboration, we can continue to support our health care systems and the health of Wisconsin’s residents at a time of critical need, and provide practical experience for nursing students entering the work force,” said UW-Madison School of Nursing Dean Linda D. Scott said.

To qualify for the tuition credit, students must work for at least 50 hours in a clinical or health care setting in the state between Dec. 1, 2021 and March 20 of this year. These include hospitals, clinics, state or local health care facilities, state veterans homes, nursing homes or other long-term care facilities. Students that do so can get a $500 tuition refund at the end of the spring semester this year.

The UW System has renewed its very successful Student Health Care Worker initiative through February 28, 2022. During the winter of 2020-2021, over 2,000 students worked in Wisconsin’s health care facilities. Nursing facilities, assisted living centers and residences for folks living with disabilities, as well as other clinical and health care settings, are eligible to employ the students.

For any additional questions, contact Rick Abrams, rick@whcawical.org .