AARP’s investment in four pathway programs brings economic opportunities through careers in health care and nursing to people underrepresented in those fields, with the long-term goal of strengthening the nursing workforce and advancing health equity. Pathway programs provide academic, financial and social supports to encourage more people to enter the health care professions.

Pathway programs are important for a number of reasons. They expose individuals from backgrounds underrepresented in nursing to the profession and other health careers. They also bring economic opportunities to rural and underserved communities, and communities are healthier when health practitioners are part of their fabric. The following four pathway programs received funding from the 2021 Nursing Innovations and 2022 Health Equity Innovations Funds, awarded by AARP and funded by AARP and the Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action, an initiative of AARP Foundation, AARP and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Brandywine School District Lifesavers Program
Wilmington, Delaware

The Brandywine School District in Wilmington, Del., received AARP funding in 2021 for a pathway program for middle school students.

While pathway programs are more common for high school students, Richele Lawson, a middle school nurse, wanted to provide her students with options for a future career in nursing. Beth Mattey, MSN, RN, who was then the Brandywine school health services coordinator, worked with the Delaware Action Coalition, a nurse-led, multisector coalition working to improve health and nursing, to apply for funding.

Once she received the grant, Mattey partnered with the University of Delaware (UD) School of Nursing to enable students to use its state-of-the-art simulation center. Students conduct simulations related to first aid and CPR, vital signs, wound care, and IV therapy, among other areas. Members of UD’s Student Nurses Organization, Black Student Nurses Association, and Men in Nursing group serve as mentors for Brandywine students. Nurses from Christiana Care Health Care System teach students about a variety of acute care nursing roles.

Of the 153 students who participated in the program, 95% reported planning to pursue a health care career. The first cohort of 28 students is now in eleventh grade, and Mattey plans to track outcomes to see how many participants pursue health care careers. 

After the initial grant ended, the Brandywine School District, Christiana Care Health System and the UD School of Nursing provided funding for the program to continue. UD wants to expand the program to other school districts to expose more students from backgrounds underrepresented in nursing to the field at earlier ages. Mattey says the school nurses’ dedication is instrumental to the program’s success.

Summer Health Institute for Nursing Exploration and Success (SHINES) Program
Sacramento, California

The Summer Health Institute for Nursing Education and Success program (SHINES) is a 2022 Health Equity Innovations Fund awardee now in its fourth year.

The immersive, two-week summer curriculum at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at the University of California, Davis, exposes high school students or recent high school graduates to a curriculum providing in-depth insights into various nursing roles, as well as how to navigate academia and prepare a professional portfolio. Students receive breakfast and lunch during the program and a monetary award upon completion. They participate in hands-on simulations and receive mentoring from clinicians affiliated with the Capitol City Black Nurses Association and UC Davis Health. 

By the program’s end, participants understand the impact they can make by becoming respected health practitioners serving people in their communities.

A SHINES alumni survey found 100% of the 39 respondents reported a continued interest in pursuing their career goals, with 90% interested in a health science career, and 67% specifying an interest in nursing as a career. The survey had a 48% response rate. Results will be published in a forthcoming issue of the American Journal of Nursing.

AARP is providing funds this year to expand SHINES. Support provided will help up to 30 program alumni become certified nursing assistants (CNAs). Additionally, funding will go toward adapting the current curriculum so it is designed for older adults ─ many of whom are experienced family caregivers ─ interested in entering the nursing field. SHINES hopes to offer the program to older adults in 2026.

Compete, Complete, and Repeat Health Care Mentorship Program
Columbia, Tennessee

The Compete, Complete, and Repeat Health Care Mentorship program received a 2022 Health Equity Innovations Fund award to mentor high school students. The program exposed 34 students to various health professions, discussed health care disparities and the need to advance health equity, and instilled the importance of community service.

The program, based at Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, was directed by Andrea Poynter, PhD, RN, a nursing school professor. It provided test prep for college admissions in general and for nursing school in particular. In fact, four of the five seniors who graduated in May 2023 enrolled in nursing school or a pre-med program. Poynter continues to mentor the remaining students.

Participants also completed job shadowing at Maury Regional Medical Center in Columbia. Four students participated in a paid summer internship program there, with Maury subsequently hiring them and making them eligible for tuition discounts. Poynter says the hospital will continue to conduct outreach to students from backgrounds underrepresented in nursing for its summer internship program.

Poynter parlayed her experience running the mentorship program to become the inaugural executive director of the NursesMC charter school in Nashville. The school, modeled after a successful nursing charter school in Rhode Island, will immerse high school students starting in the fall of 2025 in a nursing-focused STEM curriculum to meet Tennessee’s workforce needs.

Meritus Health
Hagerstown Maryland

Meritus Health in Western Maryland used its 2022 Health Equity Innovations Fund award to expose high school freshmen from backgrounds underrepresented in nursing to the profession, with the intent of increasing student participation in Washington County’s high school class offerings in the health professions fields.

The county provides opportunities for juniors and seniors to gain health-care related work experience through an apprenticeship program and allied health programs offering CNA certification.

Meritus partnered with Hagerstown Community College and the Washington County Public Schools to offer a five-day summer camp, with 27 students participating over two years. Students learned nursing skills and information about financial aid. They also toured Meritus’ simulation lab and the nursing program at Hagerstown Community College. Nurses from backgrounds underrepresented in nursing who work at Meritus shared their career journeys.  

According to a post-summer camp survey, 56% of participants were unaware of the health care high school course offerings before the camp. After the camp, 100% were aware, and 88% of participants reported they were either “very interested” or “extremely interested” in participating in them. By the program’s end, 100% of participants were either “somewhat interested,” “very interested,” or “extremely interested” in becoming a nurse.

Meritus will continue the program with its partners.

The Nursing Innovation Fund

Since 2018, the Nursing Innovations Fund has awarded over $1.8 million across 30 states and DC, funding 63 projects that improve access to care and services, strengthen the nursing workforce, and create healthier work environments.  Read more on the Nursing Innovations Fund.