Published January 12, 2022 
Carole Johnson Named New HRSA Administrator
On December 17, 2021, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced Carole Johnson as the new Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Johnson most recently served as the Testing Coordinator for the White House COVID-19 Response Team. She also was part of the White House Domestic Policy Council under the Obama Administration, which included overseeing HRSA and has managed other health workforce policy issues. Johnson’s expertise also includes her work as Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Human Services, as well as work in academia, on Capitol Hill, and in other healthcare capacities. HRSA’s jurisdiction includes Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development programs. AACN looks forward to working with Administrator Johnson as she begins her new role. To read the announcement, click here.
Student Loan Pause Extended Through May 1
On December 22, 2021, the Biden-Harris Administration extended the pause on student loan repayments for an additional 90 days. With the new deadline of May 1, 2022, students will have more time to plan for payments to resume, especially given the impact of the ongoing public health emergency and Omicron variant. As the U.S. Department of Education noted, “the pause on student loan payments will help 41 million borrowers save $5 billion per month.” This pause has been ongoing since March 2020. For more information, click here.
Mark Your Calendar: Federal Grant Opportunities
Throughout January and February 2022, many federal grants are accepting applications where nursing students, faculty, and practitioners can receive grant monies to further their commitment to serving communities across the nation, including in rural and underserved areas. See the details of each grant below.
- Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program. Deadline: January 27, 2022
- Nurse Faculty Loan Program. Deadline: February 3, 2022
- National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Programs. Deadline: February 3, 2022
- Nurse Education, Practice, Quality and Retention-Mobile Health Training Program. Deadline: February 22, 2022
Register Today For AACN’s 2022 Student Policy Summit!
Reserve your spot today for AACN's 2022 Student Policy Summit held in Washington DC on March 27-28. This two-day conference is open to baccalaureate and graduate nursing students enrolled at an AACN member institution. This summit provides an opportunity for students to learn first-hand the role of nursing in the broader policy realm. Up to two students per institution may attend, and students must obtain permission from their dean. Please note that registration will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. To register, click here. For more detailed information, including vaccination requirements for attendees, visit the Student Policy Summit website or click here to learn more about sponsorship opportunities. We look forward to seeing everyone in March!