New $970,000 Program Supports Career Advancement for Nurses Serving Rural Michigan
CARE for Nurses will support up to 50 nurses pursuing BSN degrees, as well as preceptors and faculty mentorship, in rural Michigan
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Ana Hornburg
Michigan Health Council
(517) 908-8229
OKEMOS, Mich.—(October 22, 2026)—Michigan Health Council (MHC) has been awarded $970,000 through Michigan’s Rural Health Transformation Program to help nurses earn Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees in exchange for committing to work in rural communities after graduation. Career-Advancing Rural Excellence (CARE) for Nurses will combine financial assistance, faculty mentorship, and individualized support to strengthen the rural nursing workforce.
“Career-Advancing Rural Excellence (CARE) for Nurses is about growing careers where compassionate care matters close to home. When we invest in rural nurses, we invest in the strength and future of the communities they serve,” said Scott Blixt, MHA, BSN, RN, RHCEOC, Chief Nursing Officer at Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital.
MHC will partner with Lake Superior State University (LSSU), Northern Michigan University (NMU), and regional education and healthcare organizations to support up to 50 licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and registered nurses (RNs). The program will focus on eligible rural communities in the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula, helping working nurses advance their education without leaving the communities they serve.
“Career advancement is important for retaining healthcare workers,” said Karalyn Kiessling, PhD, MPH, Director of Data and Research at MHC. “By reducing financial barriers and providing support throughout their education, CARE for Nurses will help more rural nurses complete their BSN and continue serving their communities.”
Participants will receive stipends and be eligible for completion incentives. Funds can help cover education costs, childcare, transportation, food, and other expenses associated with earning a degree. Each nurse will be paired with a faculty mentor and develop an individualized success plan to address academic, financial, and work-related barriers. An RN Resource Coordinator from MHC will help coordinate resources and strengthen collaboration among academic and clinical partners.
“This program helps expand postsecondary opportunities while addressing real healthcare needs in rural Michigan,” said Travis Smith, Ed.D, Deputy Superintendent for Educational Services at Marquette-Alger RESA. “By helping local nurses advance their education while practicing right here at home, this initiative creates a lasting, positive impact for the families we serve.”
Participating nurses will commit to five years of practice in an eligible rural Michigan setting. Time spent enrolled in a BSN program will count toward that commitment when participants continue practicing in the qualifying rural setting.
“Lake Superior State University (LSSU) looks forward to partnering with the CARE team in their efforts to expand access to continuing education and strengthen support for nurse preceptors, while encouraging nurses to complete their BSN degrees,” said Charlotte Kostelyk, MSN, RN, CNE, Director of Nursing, College of Professional Studies, and Associate Professor of Nursing at Lake Superior State University. “This support is especially meaningful for local LPNs who aspire to earn their BSN and pursue expanded career opportunities. We need to keep investing in nursing education and supporting preceptors; these investments will, in turn, strengthen recruitment and retention in Michigan's rural communities.”
Academic partners will support recruitment, BSN pathways, and faculty mentorship. While BSN students can receive up to $11,000 in stipends, faculty mentors at participating academic institutions are also eligible for up to $5,000 per year.
“Partnering with the Michigan Health Council enables the NMU School of Nursing to empower active nurses through higher education. These funds will directly enhance their professional growth and expand the standard of care available to local patients,” said Katie Menard, PhD, RN, PMHNP-BC, CNE, Associate Dean/Director of Nursing at Northern Michigan University.
Clinical partners will help identify nurse preceptors, who will be eligible for up to $4,000 when supporting placements in participating rural clinical settings.
“As a small, locally owned home health and hospice agency, we understand the challenges of recruiting and retaining nurses in rural communities. We’re proud to work alongside organizations that share our commitment to strengthening the rural nursing workforce and ensuring our communities have access to quality care,” said Jennie Garrett-Bureau, CEO/Administrator at U.P. Home Health & Hospice.
The initiative is part of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ Rural Health Transformation Program. Program implementation remains subject to approval by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
For program details, participation opportunities, and updates on application availability, visit mhc.org/carefornurses.
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About Michigan Health Council
Michigan Health Council is a solutions-oriented nonprofit organization on a mission to ensure the future of the healthcare workforce. MHC works with educators, healthcare employers, and other partners to strengthen career pathways, support healthcare professionals, and inform workforce solutions through data and research. Learn more at mhc.org.
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