Nurse residency state matching grants program

The department shall establish a nurse residency state matching grants program to provide matching state funding to sponsors of nurse residency programs in this state to establish, expand, or support nurse residency programs that meet standards adopted by rule of the department. Funding for the program may be provided through the health care workforce shortage fund or the nurse residency state matching grants program account created in section 135.175. The department, in cooperation with the Iowa board of nursing, the department of education, Iowa institutions of higher education with board of nursing-approved programs to educate nurses, and the Iowa nurses association, shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A to establish minimum standards for nurse residency programs to be eligible for a matching grant that address all of the following: 1. Eligibility requirements for and qualifications of a sponsor of a nurse residency program to receive a grant, including that the program includes both rural and urban components. 2. The application process for the grant. 3. Criteria for preference in awarding of the grants. 4. Determination of the amount of a grant. 5. Use of the funds awarded. Funds may be used to pay the costs of establishing, expanding, or supporting a nurse residency program as specified in this section, including but not limited to the costs associated with residency stipends and nursing faculty stipends.